Local firm plans 250-turbine offshore wind farm in Victoria

Local company Offshore Energy Pty Ltd has proposed to build a giant, 250-turbine wind park off the Gippsland coastline in the Australian state of Victoria.

If it goes through, the so-called Star of the South project is seen to generate investment of around AUD 8 billion (USD 5.9bn/EUR 5.3bn), as well as to create roughly 12,000 jobs during construction and a further 300 ongoing operational and maintenance (O&M) positions, the state government said in a statement.

Offshore Energy has been working with the Victorian and Commonwealth governments to progress the plan to a formal feasibility assessment. They have also entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) under which the state will assist the developer with progressing the permitting process should the project gets the appropriate rights to start exploration activities.

“A new renewable power generator of this size would drive down electricity prices, and we’ll support Offshore Energy wherever we can to progress this study,” Lily D’Ambrosio, Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, commented in a statement.

It is expected that the project’s feasibility phase will last at least three years. The developer hopes to have the offshore wind park up and running in time to contribute to the Labor government’s Renewable Energy Target of 40% by 2025.

(AUD 1.0 = USD 0.744/EUR 0.662)

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