Fossil fuel workers can seamlessly transition into offshore wind industry as coal retires

A new report has found many workers currently employed by the fossil fuel industry can switch to jobs in offshore wind, tempering fears about the community impact of energy transition.

Workers in Australia’s fossil fuel industry, deemed most at risk of losing their jobs due to the energy transition, can seamlessly switch into the offshore wind industry with only little training, a new report has found.

The findings, if proved correct, will temper fears about the impact on workers and local communities of Australia’s rapid transition away from fossil fuels that is reshaping the country’s $2 trillion economy.

Australia has earmarked offshore wind as central to providing the electricity currently generated by coal, and a report from Star of the South – the country’s most advanced offshore development – said there is significant crossover of skills required by workers. As a result, many workers displaced by the transition in Gippsland – Australia’s first offshore wind region – can find employment in the emerging industry.

(L-R) Victorian energy minister Lily D'Ambrosio and Erin Coldham, chief development officer at Star of the South.

“What we found is that around 70 per cent of workers in traditional power generation sectors have those core skills needed to work in offshore wind with just a little bit of additional training,” Erin Coldham, chief development officer at Star of the South, said.

“In the maritime industry it was even higher, close to 90% of the existing maritime industry are well equipped to work in offshore wind.”

Star of the South’s findings mean it is likely to have a large talent pool to choose from as it undertakes development with several major fossil fuel generators winding down operations.

EnergyAustralia’s Yallourn coal power station is expected to be retired in 2028. The coal power station is Victoria’s second largest electricity generator, and employs about 500 permanent workers, many of whom will need alternative employment in the next few years.

A digital model of Star of the South offshore wind project off the south coast of Gippsland.

Star of the South, which is targeting its first generation by the end of the decade, expects to create up to 2000 jobs in the state over its life, including 760 in Gippsland during construction and 200 long-term local jobs during operations.

Star of the South currently employs about 30 people, but expects to ramp up quickly after securing several new licences. It is one of more than three dozen developers vying for a so-called feasibility licence to develop in Gippsland, but as one of the most advanced and with large capital investors – it is expected to secure the first licence.

“Yallourn is closing in 2028. That‘s a key date that’s on our mind in terms of making sure there’s opportunities and good pathways for workers in those sectors,” Ms Coldham told The Australian.

“EnergyAustralia has been really involved in this guide. They’ve got a transition planning team and we’ve been really engaged with them. We’ve presented to their workforce and we’ve seen quite a bit of interest from them about an opportunity in offshore wind.”

Originally published as Fossil fuel workers can seamlessly transition into offshore wind industry as coal retires