Australia’s federal government has designated an area in the Southern Ocean, off the state of Victoria, as the country’s third offshore wind zone. However, the potential power generation capacity has been significantly reduced, following last year’s public consultation.
High potential in Australia’s third offshore wind zone
Initially, it was proposed that the area could accommodate up to 14GW of offshore wind capacity, but this was eventually limited to 2.9GW. The extent of this area covers 1,030 km², located approximately 20 km off the coast of Port Fairy, compared to the original plan which extended from the Warrnambool coast in western Victoria to Port MacDonnell in South Australia (SA), now excluding an area off SA.
The Australian Department of Energy and Climate Change made the decision to reduce the designated area, following the public consultation process carried out between June and August last year, during which 3,285 submissions were received. This smaller zone avoids sensitive environmental areas and commercial fishing grounds while addressing concerns about visual impacts.
Companies now have the opportunity to officially submit feasibility license applications for offshore wind energy projects. offshore wind energy projects in this new area. The deadline for submitting these applications is July 2 of this year. Construction will not be allowed to begin until the feasibility stage is completed and the developers have obtained the necessary environmental and management plan approvals, as indicated by the ministry.
Electricity demand and environmental concerns
Although it possesses consistently strong winds, is close to existing grid connections, the newly designated area is in areas of high electricity demand, such as the 358,000 ton per year capacity Portland aluminum smelter operated by Alcoa.
Australia had designated its first offshore wind zone by the end of 2022, in a 15,000 km² area in Bass Strait, off the coast of Gippsland in Victoria, with capacity for up to 10 GW. However, earlier this year, the federal government rejected Victoria’s preferred port terminal project due to environmental concerns that could affect wind projects.
Marine Electric Infrastructure Bill
In July last year, a second area of 1,854 km², with a potential capacity of 5.2 GW was designated off the Hunter region of New South Wales (NSW). In addition, the federal government has conducted public consultations, with a potential of 4.2 GW, and in Bass Strait, off the coast of northern Tasmania, with a potential capacity of up to 28 GW.
Consultations are currently underway on a sixth and final zone, off the Bunbury region of Western Australia, which could cover 7,674 km² and host up to 20 GW of capacity.
Although Australia does not yet have operational offshore wind farms. The first units are expected to come on line in the early 2030s. With the approval of the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Bill in 2021, the country allows offshore wind energy projects for the first time.
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Source: Argus Media News
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