THE proposed offshore windfarm along the shoreline of Port MacDonnell is officially off the table with Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen making the announcement today.
One fifth of the original proposed zone will remain as an offshore windfarm – no longer including South Australian shores.
According to Mr Bowen, Western Victoria is “well suited” to offshore wind with “world-class wind resources” as well as “high quality” shipping infrastructure and an aluminium smelter which draws up to 10 per cent of Victoria’s electricity.
The declared area will work around the Bonney Upwelling, Deen Maar Island and shipping routes.
The final area is 1030 kilometre-square and is located between 15 to 20 kilometres off Victoria’s coast.
Mr Bowen said the declaration was a major step towards Australia’s clean energy future.
“The Southern Ocean offshore wind zone has the potential to create thousands of new, high-value jobs and help secure cleaner, cheaper more reliable energy for regional Victoria,” Mr Bowen said.
“Australia has abundant renewable energy, the cheapest form of energy, and the government is committed to helping Australians benefit from these natural resources, including offshore wind.”
