Australian Government grants feasibility licence for Southern Ocean offshore wind zone

Dept of Climate Change, Energy, Environment & Water

The Australian Government has granted a feasibility licence for a proposed offshore wind farm in the Southern Ocean region, off Victoria’s Southwest coast.

Spinifex Offshore, which received a preliminary offer in September 2024, can now assess the feasibility of its proposed wind farm in the Southern Ocean offshore wind zone.

The project will:

  • generate 1.2 GW of power – enough to meet 10% of Victoria’s electricity needs
  • cover 265 km2
  • create hundreds of jobs for engineers, technicians, and divers
  • offer new opportunities for suppliers and the Portland aluminium smelter
  • inject hundreds of millions of dollars into Southwest Victoria’s economy
  • support local manufacturing
  • generate reliable and affordable renewable energy to power Victorian industries.

Before construction can begin, environmental assessments and other criteria must be met that can take up to 7 years.

A newly established Southern Ocean Wind Industry Committee comprising Spinifex, Victorian and local governments, First Nations groups, local industry and workers’ representatives – will work together to maximise economic and social benefits for Southwest Victoria.

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