BILLIONS of dollars’ worth of investment in Bass Strait wind-energy projects, including as many as five offshore from Gippsland, are expected to be unlocked following an announcement by the Federal Government on Friday, August 5.

The announcements have set off a flurry of activity and comment by the companies with projects on-foot, environment groups and also by Gippsland Federal MP Darren Chester.

The Government named six regions, including the Gippsland offshore area which takes in East Gippsland, Wellington, South Gippsland and Bass local government areas (LGAs) as having world-class offshore wind energy potential.

Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen, said public consultation on the proposed Bass Strait off Gippsland area would now “begin immediately as the Albanese Government works with communities, environmental groups, industry and the maritime sector to ensure communities are appropriately engaged in establishing this new industry”.

The other regions for offshore wind energy projects include:

* The Pacific Ocean region off the Hunter in NSW

* The Pacific Ocean region off the Illawarra in NSW

* The Southern Ocean region off Portland in Victoria

* The Bass Strait region off Northern Tasmania

* The Indian Ocean region off Perth/Bunbury, WA.

Details of the five other regions and the public consultation processes will be announced in due course, he said.

Gippsland MHR, Darren Chester has cautiously welcomed the announcement, stressing that any developments must benefit Gippsland in terms of jobs and contracts, but not impact farming properties with overhead transmission lines.

“Today’s announcement of the Gippsland coastline becoming an offshore wind zone is a step forward and will allow for further detailed consideration of projects to utilise our region’s abundant wind resource,” Mr Chester said.

“Respectful community consultation and engagement is now critical to ensure the region understands the potential impacts and benefits of offshore wind projects.

“It’s important that issues surrounding transmission lines through private property to link large scale renewable projects to the national grid are handled sensitively and transparently,” Mr Chester stressed.

There’s already a good deal of concern along the Gippsland coast, from East Gippsland through to Bass Coast about where those transmission lines might run.

“These projects must benefit Gippslanders by supporting local jobs and boosting the regional economy. These potential projects were progressing well under the previous government and this latest step in the process will be well received by most Gippslanders,” he said.

Minister Bowen went on to say that “unlocking the power of offshore wind in Australia will help power the nation”.

He said offshore wind can help with energy security and resilience due to its power capacity and availability at times when solar power and onshore wind are not available.

“The International Energy Agency has even referred to it as in a class of its own – variable baseload power.

“Good to excellent offshore wind locations exist at strategic locations. These include sites with existing energy generation facilities and industrial hubs with strong connections to existing transmission networks, near major export ports, and near industrial hubs where the transmission grid is the strongest.

“Estimates for the job opportunities of an offshore wind industry in Australia range from 3000-8000 jobs annually. Where offshore wind has been established in other countries, the main pathways into the industry have been from the energy sector and existing offshore industries.”

Developers of the biggest of the proposed energy developments, the 200-turbine Star of the South project, said the announcement by the Energy Minister meant Gippsland was officially ‘The Home of Offshore Wind Energy’ in Australia.

In welcoming the news, they said offshore wind-energy developments in Gippsland were a step closer to becoming a reality, with the Commonwealth Government announcing the Bass Strait off Gippsland as the first area to be formally assessed under its new Offshore Electricity Infrastructure framework.

It highlighted, they said, that offshore wind was an essential technology to secure Australia’s clean energy future.

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water will now conduct a 60-day public consultation process, including with local communities and maritime users.

“Starting the process to declare Gippsland as an area for offshore wind development will give greater certainty to the industry, the local supply chain, and communities,” said a Star of the South spokesperson.

Anticipating operating off the Gippsland coast by the end of the decade, Star of the South believes Gippsland is best placed to become the home of Australia’s offshore wind industry due to its strong wind resource, good grid connections and skilled workforce.

Star of the South is in the development phase, recently completing geotechnical surveys along its proposed 75km transmission route and more than two years of marine surveys in Bass Strait.

The project, they said, would create an estimated 2000 Victorian jobs across its life, with $8.7 billion investment in Victoria. Star of the South is one of the nation’s largest proposed energy developments, allowing Australia to meet its emissions reduction targets by powering up to 1.2 million homes with clean energy.

The project, they said, would provide jobs for energy workers with the potential to create 2000 direct Victorian jobs, and 200 ongoing local operational jobs, providing a timely economic boost to the Gippsland region.

“We are pleased to see Bass Strait off Gippsland being formally considered as the first location for offshore electricity projects, and consultation starting with local communities, fishers and other marine users,” said Star of the South Acting CEO, Erin Coldham.

“We know the wind conditions here are ideal, with many opportunities for investment in the region.

“A local offshore wind sector will deliver a clean energy boost, cut emissions, and create local jobs. It’s encouraging to see the Government pushing ahead with offshore wind in Gippsland and keeping the momentum going.

“We are committed to continuing Gippsland’s proud history of power generation into the future and making the region the home of offshore wind in Australia.

“We encourage all community members to have their say during the required 60-day public consultation process to ensure projects are developed with local input in mind.”

Friends of the Earth

Environmental groups, including Friends of the Earth, have praised the new Federal Government for bringing forward the process, and damned the former government for delays.

“Just one day after the federal Parliament passed the Albanese government’s emissions reduction target of 43% by 2030, Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen has announced consultation will begin immediately on Australia’s first offshore wind zone off the Gippsland coast,” they said.

“The announcement comes after years of delay on offshore wind by the previous federal Coalition government.”

Environment organisation Friends of the Earth has welcomed the news, and says kickstarting an offshore wind sector in Gippsland will be a game changer for action on climate change while creating thousands of new job opportunities and a new source of energy.

“Offshore wind will play a key role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions while creating thousands of new jobs and significant local investment, and Gippsland could soon be at the forefront of this new industry,” said Wendy Farmer, Friends of the Earth Gippsland community organiser.

Research commissioned by Friends of the Earth in 2021 found that building the offshore wind farm Star of the South alone has the potential to create as many as 1400 jobs during construction and up to 600 direct ongoing jobs.

There are now at least five offshore wind projects proposed off the Gippsland coast, with almost 9 gigawatts of offshore wind on the table. There’s no time to waste, said Friends of the Earth.

“Now that the Yallourn coal fired power station has announced it will close by 2028 we’re in a race against time to kickstart offshore wind for Gippsland’s energy future” said Wendy Farmer.

“Now that consultations are beginning, this is a great opportunity for the Gippsland region to come together to ask questions, have their voices heard, and help shape the country's first offshore wind zone” added Farmer.

Friends of the Earth will be launching a series of community conversations about Gippsland’s offshore wind future to make sure regional communities have a stake in this exciting new sector.

The beginning of a whole new industry is an opportunity to get offshore wind right. This must include strong protections for nature and cultural heritage.

Strong endorsement

The Federal Government has just announced proposed locations for offshore wind projects, including opening one to public comment in Bass Strait off Gippsland in Victoria.

The news has been strongly endorsed.

The following commentators can provide expert analysis of this development and Australia’s renewable energy capacity more broadly:

* Tony Wolfe, a senior operator at one of the Loy Yang coal power stations in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley, a member of the community advisory board for the Star of the South offshore wind farm and a board director for the Gippsland Climate Change Network, said:

“It’s about bloody time that a Federal Government has shown leadership and taken the next step in realising the job creation, power generation and economic potential of offshore wind in Australia.

“It's a welcome relief for people in Gippsland because successive Federal Governments have always been promised that the Gippsland region in Victoria would be the first region in line.

“The major Star of the South off-shore wind project, planned for just off the Gippsland coast, is the most advanced and I look forward to work continuing to make it a reality.

“The new job opportunities this will provide are great, but for me I'm excited because it's the first major electricity infrastructure that's been proposed anywhere in Victoria for the last 30 years - since construction of the Loy Yang B coal power station where I have worked for the last 28 years. As the local coal fired power plants continue to shut down, we need to know what's next and this is a really positive stop in the right direction.

"This gives Gippsland a vital opportunity to continue being a national force in electricity generation - we've producer electricity for 100 years and we want to keep playing that role as the world moves to clean and green renewable energy."

* Tim Buckley, senior energy market analyst, director of Climate Energy Finance, said:

“Offshore wind is a key decarbonisation solution for the world, installations globally are expected to increase 10 fold in the next few years. While its importance in Australia is far more nuanced because Australia is blessed with great onshore wind and solar resources, which are cheaper to develop.

“We need to weigh up the additional costs related to offshore wind construction and see where it makes the most economic sense.

“Energy Minister Chris Bowen is right to open off-shore wind for public consultation. Off-shore wind development is going to need a high degree of policy support and forward planning because of the complex supply chains that would have to be developed in Australia and higher costs of construction. We need to value the balancing or baseload nature of the generation, to support the sometimes intermittent nature of onshore wind and solar.

“It’s really important that developing offshore wind is a combined Federal and state initiative, because no one state can justify the supply chain investment alone.

“When we talk about offshore wind in Australia, it makes great sense to use the established electricity grid infrastructure of power producing regions like Victoria's Latrobe Valley, and the Hunter and Illawarra regions in NSW, and provide an alternative, high-value employment opportunities for the skilled labour there. This will help to balance and reduce the higher cost of off-shore wind development when considered on balance.”

* Charlie Prell, Chair of Farmers for Climate Action, said:

“Offshore wind is a critical part of the renewable energy future for Australia, particularly in coastal Australia. We welcome the Federal Government opening this project to public submissions.

“Gippsland is prime agricultural land particularly for dairy and the wind resource off Gippsland in the Bass Strait is better than anywhere else in the country, in addition there is an existing transmission network, so all of that adds up to this being a logical proposal that should have been approved years ago. This is demonstrating the government’s commitment to achieving its 82% renewable energy target and will create jobs in regional areas.”

* Tim Baxter, Climate Council Senior Researcher and energy expert said:

“This is an exciting and critical step in realising a cleaner, cheaper, healthier future that is free of coal and gas. Just like the new Climate Bill and overnight historic proposed rejection of the Queensland coal mine - this announcement is a symbol of Australia’s climate shift - but urgent action to reduce pollution this decade is what matters most.

“While Europe takes great advantage of its offshore wind resources, foot dragging by the previous federal government means Australia - with world class offshore wind resources - still has no industry at all.

“Taking advantage of offshore wind brings many advantages to the grid, further improving the reliability of our power supply. Australians can see the importance of this in the current energy crisis which has been exacerbated by the fleet of failing coal and gas generators.”

* Dr Madeline Taylor, Climate Councillor, energy expert and senior lecturer at Macquarie University, School of Law said:

“The mapping of offshore wind zones represents an exciting opportunity and important step forward to harness our excellent offshore wind resources. It also provides a positive market signal for industry and communities.

“Australia’s wind resources are among the world’s best, comparable to the North Sea, an area that’s leading the world in offshore wind generation. In fact, if all of our proposed offshore wind farms were built, their combined energy capacity would be greater than all of Australia’s coal-fired power stations.”

* Andrew Bray, National Coordinator, RE-Alliance, can talk about how this announcement will have a positive effect on harnessing Australia’s incredible offshore wind potential, as well as how wind farms provide major economic benefits to regional communities in which they operate.

"We need to urgently build large energy infrastructure projects in regional Australia, so harnessing the power of ocean winds is one way to reduce the pressure on regional communities''.

The other coastal regions include the Hunter and Illawarra in NSW, Portland in Victoria, Northern Tasmania and the coastline from Perth to Bunbury in WA.

The Federal Government estimates an offshore wind industry in Australia would create 3,000 to 8,000 jobs annually.

Climate Council statement

AUSTRALIA is a step closer to becoming an offshore wind superpower, with a landmark new offshore wind announcement touted to bring jobs and economic opportunities, after years of waiting for the door to open on this booming global industry.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen today announced six proposed regions for NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and WA that have world-class offshore wind potential.

Tim Baxter, Climate Council Senior Researcher and energy expert said: “This is an exciting and critical step in realising a cleaner, cheaper, healthier future that is free of coal and gas.

“Just like the new Climate Bill and yesterday’s historic proposed rejection of the Queensland coal mine - this announcement is a symbol of Australia’s climate shift. This is exactly the kind of urgent action we need to reduce pollution this decade.

“While Europe takes great advantage of its offshore wind resources, foot dragging by the previous federal government means Australia - with world class offshore wind resources - still has no industry at all.

“Taking advantage of offshore wind brings many advantages to the grid, further improving the reliability of our power supply. Australians can see the importance of this in the current energy crisis which has been exacerbated by the fleet of failing coal and gas generators.”

Dr Madeline Taylor, Climate Councillor, energy expert and senior lecturer at Macquarie University, School of Law said: “The mapping of offshore wind zones represents an exciting opportunity and important step forward to harness our excellent offshore wind resources. It also provides a positive market signal for industry and communities.

“Australia’s wind resources are among the world’s best, comparable to the North Sea, an area that’s leading the world in offshore wind generation. In fact, if all of our proposed offshore wind farms were built, their combined energy capacity would be greater than all of Australia’s coal-fired power stations.”

The Climate Council recommends the Albanese Government build on its climate agenda to deliver deeper emissions cuts by 2030 by:

* Speeding up the transformation of our energy system to renewable power.

* Ending all government support for fossil fuel expansion.

* Focusing on electrification and energy efficiency.

* Growing good jobs by giving a major boost to clean manufacturing.

* Ending land clearing and accelerating efforts to restore degraded land and forests.

* Strengthening the laws and agencies that underpin Australia’s transition to a zero-emission economy.

Good news for Gippsland

The Federal Government has characterised the announcement as good news for Gippsland and good news for Australia.

Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen said he had been fighting to unlock Australia’s offshore wind capacity for years.

“The world’s climate emergency is Australia’s regional jobs opportunity and offshore wind is just one example,” Minister Bowen said.

“Unlocking the offshore wind industry is an exciting new chapter for Australia and we want to build a platform of community collaboration and support around it.

“We have some of the best wind resources in the world - just one rotation of one offshore wind turbine provides as much energy as an average rooftop solar installation generates in one day.

“This new industry will provide opportunities to reduce emissions and fast track job and economic development opportunities for regional Australia particularly in clean energy generation and manufacturing.

“Many other countries have been successfully harvesting offshore wind energy for years, and now is the time for Australia to start the journey to firmly establish this reliable and significant form of renewable energy.”

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water will facilitate the consultation process in the proposed regions.

The consultation process will be an opportunity for all stakeholders with interests in the proposed areas to provide feedback.

For more information about how to participate in the consultation process for the Bass Strait area off Gippsland, Victoria, please visit https://consult.industry.gov.au/oei-gippsland