Offshore wind Implementation Statement 3 adds clarity for industry
14 December 2023
Australia’s most advanced offshore wind project, Star of the South, has welcomed the release of the Victorian Government’s Offshore Wind Implementation Statement 3.
Star of the South Chief Executive Officer, Charles Rattray, said the statement brings greater clarity for offshore wind projects in Victoria.
“This is a positive next step from the Victorian Government – the more industry knows about what to expect and when, the better industry members and stakeholders can plan to deliver”.
“Setting a clear and certain path forward is the most important role government can play to get offshore wind projects up and running”.
“Legislating offshore wind targets sends a clear message that Victoria is serious about achieving its 2GW by 2032 commitment”.
Mr Rattray said Star of the South supports the practical approach taken to growing local content as the industry matures.
“We’ve been working with Australian businesses over several years to understand and develop local content opportunities – there’s a lot that can be done here and the opportunity set is only going to grow over time”.
Mr Rattray said there are challenges ahead to realise Victoria’s offshore wind ambitions.
“Ensuring that all the pieces of the puzzle – transmission, ports and procurement – come together at the right time will be one of the biggest challenges and there is still a lot of work to be done”.
“Decisive action is needed to bring offshore wind online at the right time to meet climate and energy needs - there isn’t a moment to lose” he said.
About Star of the South
Star of the South is Australia’s most advanced offshore wind project, proposed off the coast of Gippsland in Victoria with an installed capacity of up to 2.2 GW. Star of the South would help meet energy, emissions reduction, and economic goals by supplying renewable energy for more than 1.2 million homes, creating thousands of jobs and investing billions in the local economy. The project has been developed under a Commonwealth Exploration Licence since 2019 and is currently in the advanced stages of feasibility studies and environmental assessments, targeting first power by the end of the decade, subject to government assessment and approval decisions. Star of the South is backed by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), one of the world’s leading clean energy investors, and Cbus Super, a leading Australian industry super fund.