The Australian government has offered Alinta Energy and Parkwind a feasibility license for the Spinifex offshore wind farm. This is part of Australia’s Reliable Renewables Plan for the Southern Ocean offshore wind zone. The Southern Ocean area is the third offshore wind zone in the country. It was declared in March but massively reduced from 14GW to just 2.9GW of offshore wind capacity. Should the project proceed, it could generate 1.2GW of electricity, enough to supply around 10% of Victoria’s current electricity needs. This is equivalent to powering 650,000 homes. Spinifex will also have a community benefit-sharing program and has already identified local businesses and industries that can be part of the project. Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, will now undertake further consultation with First Nations groups before making a final decision on the feasibility licence. If the feasibility of the Spinifex Offshore project is proven, the developer must obtain all necessary approvals before applying for a commercial licence which would enable construction to begin. “Offshore wind represents a huge opportunity for regional Australia, providing reliable renewables to power homes and heavy industry while creating highly skilled and well-paid jobs now and into the future,” Bowen said. “Victoria has world-class offshore wind resources and we look forward to Spinifex harnessing that to create reliable renewable energy for our homes and businesses and to share the benefits of this with the local community through jobs, local supply chains and community benefit sharing program,” said Victorian Minister for Climate Action, Energy and Resources, Lily D’Ambrosio. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1_95_0_1_2'); }); TagsAustralia Offshore Wind