Bass Strait wind farms: Major announcement on proposed 10,136 sqkm offshore wind zone
The Commonwealth has made a major announcement regarding a proposed Bass Strait offshore wind zone which, when unlocked and fully developed, could power 20 million homes. Details.
Tasmania
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The Commonwealth has taken the first step towards unlocking Bass Strait for large-scale offshore wind farm development.
On Tuesday, federal and state energy ministers Chris Bowen and Nick Duigan MLC revealed consultation has been opened on a proposed 10,136 sqkm offshore wind zone, which would be located a minimum of 20km away from Tasmania’s landmass.
The future zone has the potential to generate 28GW of electricity, enough to power over 20 million homes, and would give Tasmania a vital boost in its quest to generate 200 per cent of its renewable energy needs by 2040.
Mr Bowen said the consultation would provide a genuine opportunity for communities to have their say in the first part of the process for developing an offshore wind industry in Tasmania.
“The Bass Strait is renowned for its offshore wind resource – and this potential zone could transform Tasmania into a new clean energy powerhouse, spurring investment in Tasmanian communities, providing energy security for decarbonising heavy industry and creating thousands of jobs,” Mr Bowen said.
Mr Duigan said the need for further renewable generation was obvious.
“The state needs more renewable electricity to put downward pressure on prices, secure our energy security, provide for the demand our growing economy and future industries need and continue our nation-leading zero emissions status,” he said.
Submissions can be made until January 31, 2024, and the consultation period will also include drop-in sessions at Bridport, George Town, Burnie, Devonport, and Flinders Island.
Two proponents have thus far publicly revealed their intention to install wind farms in the Bass Strait.
New South Wales developer Nexsphere and Norwegian energy company Equinor say their proposed Bass Offshore Wind Energy project would be located approximately 30km offshore of Tasmania North-East coast.
It would feature 35–70 turbines initially, and have a capacity of between 1000–1500MW.
Nexsphere chief executive Glen Kierse said Tuesday’s announcement was an “important next step” in the fledgling zone’s progress.
“A new era of offshore wind will see Tasmania’s energy security enhanced and the sustainable growth of existing and new industries,” he said.
TasRex, a Tasmanian-owned renewables developer, earlier this month revealed it had plans to build offshore wind farms off both the North-East and North-West coasts of Tasmania.
The wind farms are part of 5GW of renewable capacity the company hopes to develop over the medium-term, with its first project a $500m, 288MW solar farm at grazier Roderic O’Connor’s iconic Connorville station at Cressy.
The state government will be crossing its fingers offshore wind proves less controversial than onshore proposals.
ACEN Australia’s Robbins Island Renewable Energy Park, with a capacity of up to 1000MW from 122 turbines, has been bogged down in a series of appeals, while St Patricks Plains Wind Farm, with a capacity of up to 300MW from 47 turbines, has also encountered local opposition.
Tasmania is sorely in need of additional generating capacity, with the shortfall preventing a number of high-profile, energy intensive green hydrogen proposals in the state’s North from progressing.
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Originally published as Bass Strait wind farms: Major announcement on proposed 10,136 sqkm offshore wind zone
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