- Australian government declares third offshore wind development zone.
- The zone is located in the Southern Ocean off western Victoria.
The Australian government has announced its third offshore wind development zone. This zone, located in the Southern Ocean off western Victoria, has significantly reduced size.
Originally proposed at 5,100 square kilometres, it now covers only 1,030 square kilometres. This decision follows extensive community consultations and concerns about environmental issues and cultural heritage.
The exclusion of an area off the coast of South Australia prompted the adjustment. The designated zone is approximately 15 to 20 kilometres off the Victorian coast. It can host up to 2.9 gigawatts of offshore turbine generation.
This capacity could power over two million homes. Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen affirmed the government’s commitment to leveraging Australia’s abundant renewable energy resources.
The development of this zone will create significant employment opportunities. Construction aims to generate 1,740 jobs, and ongoing operations will create 870 positions. Feasibility license applications for the new zone will be accepted from March 6 to July 2.
Developers will conduct detailed environmental studies and consult with local industries during this period. Australia has already designated two offshore wind zones for large-scale deployment.
One is in the Bass Strait off Victoria’s Gippsland coast, and the other is in the Pacific Ocean off the Hunter region in New South Wales. Ongoing consultations are underway for additional zones to align with the country’s 2050 net-zero emissions target.