Project update - September 2023
2 October
Find us out and about
We're taking part in events across Gippsland and Melbourne in the coming months. Come along to meet our team and talk offshore wind at:
TRANSFORM Renewable Energy Jobs Expo, Friday 13th - Saturday 14th, Gippsland Performing Arts Centre, Traralgon. Come and find us at our information stall, or hear from our team in panel discussions about career opportunities in offshore wind.
Melbourne Boat Show, Thursday 26 – Sunday 29 October, Docklands.
Yarram Agricultural Show, Saturday 25 November, Yarram Recreation Reserve.
Tarwin District Community Lifestyle & Automotive Festival, Sunday 5 November, Tarwin Lower Recreation Reserve.
7th Annual Snapper & Gummy Fishing Comp, 4 and 11 November, Port Welshpool.
Our CEO Charles Rattray will also be speaking about offshore wind at the Australian Financial Review’s Energy and Climate Summit Monday 9 October, in Sydney and online.
Visit Get Involved for more information on where to find us out and about.
You can also contact us anytime on 1800 340 340, info@starofthesouth.com.au or by visiting our Gippsland office.
Installing an offshore wind turbine
Ever wondered how offshore wind turbines are installed in the ocean?
Take a look at this video to see how it's done!
Marine mammal surveys complete
Following two years of whale, dolphin and seal surveys across 2020-2022, we recently completed a further six months of aerial surveys in Bass Strait to collect extra data.
Trained marine mammal observers clocked up around 1,150 km flying over Bass Strait for 50 hours this year to spot marine mammals from the air – noting the species, their location and behaviour.
The collected data will now be analysed and used to keep building knowledge of this little-studied area.
With the development of offshore wind along our coastlines, it’s important to thoroughly survey these areas and better understand the presence, behaviour and movements of marine mammals.
We’re taking this responsibility very seriously. Along with these surveys, we’re also investigating best practice construction approaches globally, including the use of double bubble curtains to dampen underwater noise and impacts to marine mammals during construction.
These investigations were co-funded with the Victorian Government through the Energy Innovation Fund.
The Blue Whale Study team spotted three dolphins having a ‘whale of a time’ with a humpback
It's almost time to vote on a Voice to Parliament
At Star of the South, we find that involving and listening to diverse voices leads to better outcomes.
It helps to understand different experiences, learn from local knowledge, come up with new ideas and make better decisions.
We all want our voice heard and considered in decisions that affect us.
This is why we stand together with Australians around the country to support an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament, while respecting individual views held by Australians and their right to vote how they choose.
Last month we were fortunate to hear Indigenous leader, Noel Pearson, in conversation with Gippsland. Speaking at the West Gippsland Arts Centre in Warragul, Noel highlighted the reasons for, purpose of, and history of the Voice. If you missed his address, you can watch it back here.
Chief Development Officer Erin and Regional Engagement Manager Paul met with Noel Pearson during his trip to Gippsland
Federation University launches Australian first Blade Technician apprenticeship
Now is a great time to start planning for a career in offshore wind, as the industry takes off in Australia.
It's great to see more training options opening up locally to prepare the future renewable energy workforce, including Federation University’s new recently launched Blade Technician apprenticeship.
We can’t wait to see graduates working on Gippsland offshore wind projects in the not-too-distant future.
To find out more about what Blade Technicians do on an offshore wind project - check out page 71 of the Offshore Wind Jobs Guide.
Learn about the Blade Technician apprenticeship at Federation University’s Mt Helen campus.
Blade technician repairing an offshore wind turbine blade (photo courtesy of OPS Wind)
Offshore wind in construction around the world
Star of the South is backed by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), one of the world’s leading clean energy investors. They have offshore wind projects around the world, including in Europe, the US, and Asia.
Some of these projects recently reached exciting construction milestones – giving us a sneak peak of what we can expect to see when construction starts in Australia.
In Taiwan, the Zhong Neng project has installed its first ‘jacket’ turbine foundation.
Also in Taiwan, all 62 turbine foundations and inter-array cables have been installed for the Changfang & Xidao project. Inter-array cables connect turbines to an offshore substation.
In the US, construction of Vineyard Wind is well underway, with one the offshore substation and first monopile foundations installed. This is the most common type of foundation used for offshore wind farms around the world.
Zhong Neng jacket installation
Changfang & Xidao cable installation vessel
Vineyard Wind substation installation