Project update - September 2024

30 September 2024

Upcoming investigations 

We’ll be doing flora and fauna surveys along parts of the Star of the South transmission investigation area during October and November. 

During this time, locals might see a team of ecologists walking over land and along roadsides to identify any areas with native plants or habitat for native animals.  

Further surveys are expected to take place later this year and early next year.  

This work will build on data we’ve collected over recent years to understand the local environment and will inform the project’s environmental assessments and approvals.  

If you have any questions about this work, please contact our Gippsland team.

Ecologists will survey native plants and animal habitat

Career opportunities 

We’re currently hiring for two leadership roles at Southerly Ten – each playing a key role in developing our Gippsland projects. 

Chief Commercial Director - Leading all aspects of commercial operations, working with an expert team in an exciting and purposeful role. Find out more and apply now.

Technical Development Director - A unique and high-impact role leading the technical development of our early to mid-stage offshore wind projects. Find out more and apply now.

Supplier profile: ERGT  

This month we visited ERGT, Australia's first training provider for the Global Wind Organisation 'Sea Survival' course. 

This course includes in-water survival and rescue training, using equipment designed to replicate turbine ladders, helicopters, Crew Transfer Vessel platforms and more – helping prepare future offshore wind workers to safely transfer to and from a wind turbine offshore. 

Darren and Tim showed us around their impressive facility which is already used to train workers in high-risk industries such as offshore oil and gas, aviation, maritime, mining and defence. 

"It's great to see the offshore wind industry taking off in Australia, and with Victoria leading the way. We're really looking forward to seeing people walking out the door skilled-up and excited about a job in offshore wind", Tim told us.  

Find out more about jobs in offshore wind and training requirements. 

Darren and Tim from ERGT showed Katrina (centre) around their Altona facility 

Meet our turbine specialist 

James is no stranger to offshore wind, having worked in Europe for 15 years supporting the installation of turbines for three projects and the development of several others. 

Now back home in Australia, James is applying the knowledge and learnings gained overseas to the development of Star of the South and Kut-Wut Brataualung in Gippsland. 

"It’s exciting to be back home and part of growing this industry from the very beginning. We have great conditions to build these projects here and a committed and determined team, which are great foundations for success”, he said.  

When not obsessing over wind turbines, James enjoys spending his free time with his kids and pottering around the house doing DIY jobs. 

James standing on top of a turbine (left) and watching an offshore wind port at work in the UK (right) 

Did you know? 

Since the first offshore wind farm was constructed in Denmark around 30 years ago, more than 13,000 turbines have been installed in the ocean. 

These turbines represent around 75 GW of installed capacity. The Global Wind Energy Council expects more than 410 GW of new offshore wind capacity to be added worldwide over the next decade, making it one of the fastest growing energy technologies.  

Turbine technology has evolved over the years. Today's turbines have 15 times the capacity of those installed 30 years ago - so fewer turbines are needed to generate much more electricity.  

In fact, just one spin of an offshore wind turbine can power an average Australian home for 48 hours! 

Contributing to local research 

We're excited to partner with Blue Economy CRC and BMT on the ‘Hydrogen Powering of Vessels' project. 

The project will study the feasibility of hydrogen and ammonia powered vessel technology to reduce the carbon footprint of vessel operations for offshore wind projects. 

We look forward to contributing industry knowledge to inform the research project and pioneer sustainable solutions in Australia’s maritime industry. 

Find out more about the Hydrogen Powering of Vessels Project.

Hydrogen fuelled crew transport vessel. Source: Blue Economy CRC