Star of the South welcomes plan for offshore wind
21 October 2022
Star of the South has welcomed new commitments from State and Federal governments to fast-track offshore wind in Victoria.
Star of the South is Australia’s first offshore wind project, proposed to be located in Bass Strait off the coast of Gippsland in Victoria. With a capacity of up to 2.2 GW, the project would power around 1.2 million homes and create up to 2,000 Victorian jobs across its lifetime.
The Federal Government announced this week that its Rewiring the Nation plan will fast-track Victorian Renewable Zones and offshore wind.
This was followed today by Victoria’s Offshore Wind Implementation Statement, setting out the next steps to establish a Victorian offshore wind industry including the creation of a new government agency – Offshore Wind Energy Victoria – to streamline and drive coordinated development of the sector.
Since being awarded a Commonwealth Exploration Licence in 2019 to investigate the project’s feasibility, Star of the South has invested in more than two years of wind, seabed, environment and engineering studies, making it the most progressed project in Australia.
Star of the South is targeting first power from the project in 2028 to deliver electricity and jobs to coincide with the planned closure of the Latrobe Valley’s Yallourn Power Station.
The project is being led by a team of Victorians with investment from world-leading fund manager Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and Australian superannuation fund Cbus Super.
Quotes attributable to Star of the South CEO, Charles Rattray
Offshore wind will be a game-changer for Victoria – delivering significant energy and jobs in the right place and at the right time”
“Having all levels of government on the same page is critical to drive the quick decisions and real action needed get offshore wind up and running”
“The Offshore Wind Implementation Statement is a positive step toward the clear and certain path needed to attract the investment, supply chain and workforce needed for a successful offshore wind industry”
“As the first and most progressed project in Australia, we are in a strong position to support government achieving its ambitious offshore wind and decarbonisation goals”
About Star of the South
Star of the South is Australia’s first offshore wind project, proposed to be located off the south coast of Gippsland in Victoria. Star of the South would help meet energy, emissions reduction and economic goals by supplying secure, reliable and affordable power for up to 1.2 million homes, or nearly 20% of the State’s energy needs. The project is in the feasibility phase with environmental assessments currently underway to inform project planning and approvals. If Star of the South is approved and proceeds to construction, works could start by the middle of this decade with full power before the end of the decade.