The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEEC) has issued a statement outlining how it plans to meet the State’s new nation-leading offshore wind targets.
Welcoming DEEC’s Victorian Offshore Wind Energy Implementation Statement 2, the Minister for Energy and Resources, Lily D’Ambrosio said the statement laid out how the Department would leverage industry-led investment in offshore wind for the first tranche of projects to deliver at least two gigawatts (GW) of generation capacity by 2032.
“The strategy confirms the location of the Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal at the Port of Hastings,” Ms D’Ambrosio said.
“The terminal will support wind construction delivery of up to one GW per year, process turbines up to 18 megawatts and service multiple offshore wind developments concurrently,” she said.
“The Victorian Renewable Energy Terminal will undergo a thorough Environment Effects Statement (EES) allowing the community to make submissions which will be considered before the project is progressed.”
Ms D’Ambrosio said a Renewable Energy Supply Chain Hub would also be developed near the offshore wind development areas.
She said this infrastructure would kickstart the establishment of new renewable energy supply chain opportunities across Victoria.
“Work will also begin on a renewable energy workforce development plan that will identify what skills and training is needed to support the industry, with a specific focus on Gippsland,” the Minister for Energy and Resources said.
“The strategy also outlines that VicGrid will lead on the development of transmission infrastructure for off-shore wind,” she said.
“It will consider a range of feasible options and is expected to announce the specific transmission connection point locations and route corridors in Gippsland and Portland by the end of the year.”
Ms D’Ambrosio said that would ensure the timely delivery of transmission infrastructure to support offshore wind while minimising impacts on local communities, the environment and consumer costs.
DEEC’s 32-page Implementation Statement can be downloaded at this PS News link.
