Federal government declares massive Bass Strait wind power zone

An offshore wind zone has been declared for a large area of Bass Strait in the hope of attracting investment in renewable energy. Here’s how many jobs it could create.

Offshore wind farm.

A large area of Bass Strait has been declared an offshore wind zone by the federal government in the hope of attracting investment in renewable energy and creating up to 12,000 jobs.

Visiting Bell Bay on Thursday, Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said the zone could support up to 20GW of around-the-clock reliable renewable energy — more than half the current electricity demand across southeast Australia.

It is hoped the zone might create up to 12,000 jobs during the construction of hundreds of turbines and associated infrastructure, with a further 6,000 ongoing roles for engineers, electrical technicians, cable installers, boilermakers, crane operators, riggers, divers, seafarers, dockworkers and administrators.

Around a dozen offshore wind farms could be built more than 30km from land across an area of 7,100 km2 off the coast from Port Sorell to George Town.

State and federal energy ministers Nick Duigan MLC and Chris Bowen announcing the commencement of consultation on a proposed 11,159 sqkm offshore wind zone in the Bass Strait. Picture: Supplied

The zone is smaller than the originally proposed 10,100km2 and the potential generation capacity has been scaled back from 28 gigawatts. The zone is cut in two by a shipping lane.

Mr Bowen said one rotation of a wind turbine’s blades generates as much energy as the average rooftop solar installation in an entire day.

“Tasmania is already an energy powerhouse – running on 100 per cent renewables – but the power of offshore wind could see the state produce and export even more clean and reliable energy,” he said.

“Bass Strait has truly world-class wind resources, with sustained wind speeds of more than eight metres per second.”

Minister for Energy and Renewables Nick Duigan welcomed the announcement.

“Tasmania has some of the best wind resources in the world,” he said.

“Bass Strait has been named as one of the top options for offshore wind energy generation in the country by the Australian Energy Market Operator.

“An offshore wind industry can help our state maximise its potential as a green energy powerhouse, creating thousands of new jobs and cleaner, cheaper energy and contributing toward our nation-leading 200 per cent by 2040 Renewable Energy Target.”

Off shore wind turbine.

Two proponents have so far publicly revealed their intention to build wind farms in the Bass Strait.

Federal Liberal leader Peter Dutton has vowed to cancel half of Anthony Albanese’s six declared offshore wind zones — although the Bass Strait proposal is not one of them.

Labor’s Janie Finlay welcomed Thursday’s announcement but called for greater certainty.

“Tasmania is lucky to have some of the best renewable resources in the world. Renewable energy is the future and unlocks $25bn of investment in Tasmania,” she said.

“Unfortunately, all this investment is at risk if Peter Dutton gets his way with nuclear energy.”

And Clean Energy Tasmania chair Ian Jones called on the federal government to back the Robbins Island Windfarm.

Offshore wind developers can apply for feasibility licences now until 12 March 2025.

The first towers in the zone are not expected to be operational until 2030.

Originally published as Federal government declares massive Bass Strait wind power zone