Australia's first offshore wind farm, the Star of the South, is a step closer to reality as the investigation to test seabed conditions for the proposed wind project off the Gippsland coast in the state of Victoria has begun. The $12.8m investment by Victoria's government in pre-construction work for the wind project granted under the energy innovation fund will back the investigation.
A specialist vessel and crew will collect soil and rock samples from 70 meters beneath the seafloor during May 2023, including samples from 22 locations within the project's 2019 exploration license area. The findings from the investigation will help to develop a design for the proposed offshore wind energy farm that will be ideal for local seabed conditions.
See also: Australia's Renewable Energy Surges to 66% in Q1, Driving Down Costs and Emissions to Record Lows
Victoria's minister for energy and resources, Lily D'Ambrosio, said, “This will be the first marine geotechnical campaign in Australia for offshore wind energy – which is a huge achievement for Victoria as it makes the transition from coal to renewables.”
The project will be critical in helping Victoria achieve its net-zero emission target of 2045. Member for the Eastern Victoria legislative council, Tom McIntosh, stated, “Offshore wind energy will play a critical role in helping Victoria to achieve its target of net-zero emissions by 2045, and Gippsland will be at the center of this transformation.”
Victoria will also lead the nation with its offshore wind energy goals of at least 2GW of capacity by 2032, 4GW by 2035, and 9GW by 2040. These goals are part of Victoria's own net-zero emissions target and are a significant step forward in Australia's renewable energy transition.
See also: TagEnergy breaks ground on 756MW stage one of Golden Plains wind farm in Australia
The Star of the South project will be a game-changer for Australia's energy industry, as it will be the first offshore wind farm to operate in the country. It will be a major contributor to Victoria's renewable energy mix, which currently stands at around 20% of total electricity generation. The project's success will pave the way for more offshore wind farms in Australia, supporting the country's transition to a low-carbon future.
