Alinta Energy, an Australian power and gas company, and Belgium's Parkwind have submitted a feasibility licence application for their 1-GW Spinifex offshore wind project in Victoria, Australia.
The application, lodged with the Offshore Infrastructure Registrar, will allow the partners to evaluate the potential and viability of their proposal for the Southern Ocean zone off Victoria's southwestern coast by conducting specific research, tests, and consultations.
Alinta and Parkwind, which is owned by Japanese renewables platform Jera Nex, have already undertaken several initial environmental and technical studies and engaged with stakeholders and the community regarding their plan.
Unveiled by Alinta at the end of 2021, the Spinifex project aims to power an aluminium smelter in Portland with up to 100% renewable energy, connecting to the grid via its existing switchyard. The Australian group partnered with Parkwind in April.
“We're hoping that licences will be awarded as soon as possible,” said Francois Van Leeuw, co-CEO of Parkwind. He added that the project will proceed with environmental surveys for marine life, wind monitoring, and stakeholder engagement.
