June 15th 2024.
The Australian government has officially given the green light for a major offshore wind energy zone to be developed off the coast of the NSW South Coast. This announcement was made today by Federal Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen, and has received support from various climate activist groups.
The proposed zone, which is expected to generate 2.9 gigawatts of renewable energy, will be located between Stanwell Park and Kiama, covering an area of 1022 square kilometres. This is enough to power approximately 1.8 million homes, as reported by The Sydney Morning Herald. However, concerns raised during the community consultation process have led to a reduction in the size of the zone by one third.
Originally, the plan was for the wind turbines to be situated 10 kilometres offshore, but after much debate and consideration, it has been decided that they will now be placed 20 kilometres away from the coast. This marks the fourth approved offshore wind zone in Australia, with the others being located in the Hunter region of NSW, Gippsland, and Portland in Victoria.
The government's approval of these zones gives the go-ahead for windfarm developers to begin creating projects within the designated areas. However, the consultation process sparked heated discussions within the coastal community, with some residents expressing concerns about the visual impact on their pristine coastline, while others were worried about potential damage to the marine environment.
Both the Australian Conservation Foundation and the Climate Council have voiced their support for the announcement. According to Climate Council's head of policy and advocacy, Jennifer Rayner, the Illawarra region has a long history as a manufacturing hub and this development will allow it to continue thriving in the future.
Rayner also noted the importance of offshore wind in providing reliable and continuous renewable energy, especially as Australia moves away from aging and unreliable coal-fired generators. She emphasized the need for more onshore wind projects to further expand and strengthen the country's clean energy grid.
Meanwhile, ACF's climate program manager, Gavan McFadzean, stressed the crucial role of responsibly-sited renewable energy projects in transitioning Australia away from harmful fossil fuels and towards a cleaner future. He also highlighted the benefits this development will bring to the Illawarra region, such as job opportunities and a safer climate for all.
Despite the government's approval of the offshore wind zone, the project still needs to go through the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act for final approval. This serves as an important step in ensuring the project's compliance with environmental regulations and protection of the local ecosystem.
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