Offshore wind power developer surveys Bass Strait in race for first permits

Flotation Energy is among up to 30 companies, including Macquarie, European energy major Shell and Denmark’s Orsted, hoping to secure one of just a few feasibility licences to begin developing huge wind projects in the area.

The Victorian government last year said it was aiming to source about 2 gigawatts – or 20 per cent of the state’s total power needs – from offshore wind by 2030, before doubling to 4 gigawatts by 2035 and 9 gigawatts by 2040.

Loading

The government has committed about $40 million for feasibility studies and for the pre-construction development for three major offshore wind proposals, including Flotation Energy’s Seadragon, Star of the South, and a project backed by Macquarie Group.

Star of the South, a proposed 2.2-gigawatt wind farm backed by Copenhagen Infrastructure partners and Australian superannuation fund Cbus, is the most advanced Australian offshore wind farm plan.

Flotation Energy, which has 3.3 gigawatts of deep-water wind projects in the United Kingdom, said its surveys of the marine environment in the Bass Strait would assess the area’s use by whales, seals and other marine mammals, fish and sharks, seabirds, shorebirds and migratory birds. The investigations will involve tagging and tracking of mammals, birds and sharks, deployment of passive acoustic monitors to listen for marine mammals, aerial surveys, boat-based surveys, towed video and baited cameras, grab sampling and environmental DNA analysis, the company said.

If Flotation Energy succeeds in obtaining a feasibility licence, the survey data will inform the company’s environmental approvals applications and minimise the project’s environmental impact.

Offshore wind is one of the fastest growing sectors of renewable energy across the globe. Proponents say offshore turbines can harness stronger and more reliable winds than onshore assets, and suggest that situating turbines out at sea could also reduce the risk of projects facing objections from nearby communities concerned about visual and environmental impacts.

The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning.