Victoria Greenlights 6 Projects for Australia’s First Offshore Wind Farms

Feasibility licences have been granted for several wind farm projects to get underway off Victoria’s coast as part of the state’s energy transition away from coal-fired power stations. So far, licences have been granted to six projects, namely the Star of the South, High Sea Wind, Gippsland Skies, Blue Mackerel North, Kut-Wut Brataualung, and Orsted’s Gippsland. The new zone is expected to produce 2.9 gigawatts (GW) which is enough to provide power to 2,000 Victorian households, but is significantly lower than an earlier estimate of 14.6GW. The government is aiming for an increase to 4GW by 2925, and 9 GW by 2040. Energy Minister Chris Bowen said six more licences will be granted following consultation with traditional owners. If all granted licences, these projects would be enough to eventually produce 25GW—more than the state requires....