The federal government is asking for public consultation on a plan to create an offshore wind zone on the New South Wales South Coast.
Key points:
- The Illawarra has been identified for the project because of its infrastructure and natural conditions
- Chris Bowen says various concerns have already been factored in, but the plan could change after the consultation process
- Mr Bowen said the Department of Defence, which has identified Port Kembla as a possible submarine base, was “comfortable and supportive” of the plan
During a visit to Port Kembla federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen said the zone would stretch from Wombarra to Kiama, a distance by road of about 60 kilometres.
“I’m releasing a draft map for community feedback,” Mr Bowen said.
“The area I am beginning consultation on is 1,461 square kilometres in size.
“It would generate up to 4.2 gigawatts of electricity — enough to power 3.4 million homes.”
Turbines would be allowed from 10km off Wollongong and Shellharbour and 30km off Kiama.
The Illawarra region has been identified for the project because it has strong, consistent winds, is close to areas of high electricity demand and has significant transmission, transport and port infrastructure already in place.
It is also within the NSW government’s proposed Illawarra Renewable Energy Zone (REZ).
Ecological concerns noted
The draft map shows a sizeable cut-back off the coast of Kiama designed to protect important environmental areas, including a breeding habitat for little penguins.
Mr Bowen said the government had taken into account in “some degree” of concern about the impact on tourism, whales, birdlife and fishing.
He said zones in Gippsland, Victoria, and the NSW Hunter had been altered after community consultation.
The consultation period will run until mid-October and energy department officials will hold community information sessions in Bulli, Port Kembla, Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and Gerringong.
Mr Bowen said after working through the consultations he expected to declare the zone by the end of the year and open expressions of interest for operators before a final environmental approval.
Discussions around the project have been complicated by the identification of Port Kembla as one of three potential sites for a nuclear-powered submarine base.
Mr Bowen said the Department of Defence was “comfortable and supportive of the zone I am putting out today”.
He said he understood there was nothing in the proposal that conflicted “with concerns Defence might have”.
NSW Ports welcomes plan
NSW Ports has already released an artist’s impression of an outer harbour development that could be used to support an offshore wind terminal.
Chief executive Marika Calfas said there were issues regarding sequencing and certainty.
“We need to get on and build our terminal as soon as possible, because it could take up to five years to build and wind proponents are talking about starting construction at the back of that time frame,” she said.
She said all of the “land footprint” around Port Kembla would be needed to support future trades needs.
Oceanex Energy has spent the last two years developing plans for the highly anticipated Illawarra zone.
It is one of several companies hoping to secure a slice of the new zone with plans for 100 turbines generating 15 megawatts each.
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Chief operating officer Emily Scivetti said it would put turbines between 20 and 30km off the coast and that Port Kembla was an important part of the plan.
“We think there is an incredible opportunity for the Australian steel supply chain to contribute components to floating offshore wind technology,” she said.
“These semi-submersible structures … we think that using BlueScope steel in local fabrication shops makes sense.”
She said Oceanex Energy did not see Defence plans impacting an offshore wind industry based in the Illawarra.
“We have taken advice and there is no conflict between the sequencing of offshore wind and a potential nuclear submarine base ,” Ms Scivetti said.
“So we will work with government and stakeholders to get that mix right if that happens in the Illawarra.”
The company already has plans in the Hunter and is hoping to see the Eden offshore zone opened for consultation next.
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