Alinta Energy and Parkwind‘s Spinifex Offshore Wind Farm has secured the first feasibility licence for Victoria’s recently declared Southern Ocean Offshore Wind Zone.
Related article: Australia’s third—and smallest—offshore wind zone declared
The Southern Ocean offshore wind zone was declared in March this year. The 1,030sq km declared offshore wind zone is much smaller than the originally proposed 5,100sq km area, with the government scaling back the size of the zone after the South Australian Government expressed concerns over the potential impact on its fisheries industries and marine life.
Spinifex Offshore Wind Farm will now move to the next stage of the feasibility licensing process. If approved, the proposed project will generate 1.2GW of renewable electricity and potentially supply up to 10% of Victoria’s current electricity needs.
Following the grant of a feasibility licence, the feasibility licence holder must consult various organisations and groups that may be impacted by the development, including First Nations groups.
They must undertake detailed studies, including environmental studies, to determine the viability of their project, and develop management plans to outline how all stages of the project will be undertaken.
Related article: Australia’s sixth offshore wind zone announced in WA
Construction can only begin after the feasibility stage is completed and developers have gained subsequent environmental and management plan approvals, as well as demonstrating how projects will benefit Australian industry and jobs.
