AGL, as part of a new consortium of Australian and global companies, has submitted a feasibility licence application for a 2.5GW offshore wind development off the coast of Gippsland, Australia.
The consortium, Mainstream Renewable Power, Reventus Power, AGL, and DIRECT Infrastructure, have proposed the 2.5GW project has the potential to generate substantial economic benefits to Australia, including more than $3.7 billion economic value added and the creation of over 8,600 full-time equivalent jobs according to the consortium’s initial socioeconomic impact study.
In addition, the development phase is expected to include an investment package of $400 million to support workforce and supply chain development, enable the transition of Australian industry, and create local benefits.
AGL Chief Financial Officer, Gary Brown, said, “AGL’s strategy to bring forward our targeted exit from coal to 2035 is coupled with an ambition to supply our customers with 12GW of additional renewable and firming capacity. Wind energy will be an important part of our plan to responsibly transition our generation portfolio to meet our customer demand and keep Australia’s electricity supply secure, reliable, and affordable.”
Mainstream Head of Offshore Wind, Tove Røskaft, said that Mainstream has a strong history in offshore wind as one of the earliest developers globally.
“Our 20-year plus legacy goes back to developing the very first offshore wind farms in Ireland and the UK, including the Hornsea zone which is the world’s largest offshore wind farm in operation today. Mainstream was part of the partnership behind the UK’s biggest offshore wind supply chain success story and by leveraging the global experience of our parent company, the Aker group, we seek to bring similar benefits to the local supply chain in Australia,” Mr Røskaft said.
According to the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, the 15,000km2 offshore wind zone in the Bass Strait has the potential to support more than 10GW of year-round energy generation and the creation of thousands of new jobs.
The consortium partners share a deep commitment to Australia’s energy transition and as pioneers in the global offshore wind industry they bring a solid track record in developing and growing local supply chains for the long-term. The consortium is determined to play a leading role in developing the nascent Australian offshore wind industry, establishing opportunities for local industry and job creation.
Reventus Power Head of Offshore, Mark Hanafin, said, “We believe there is strong potential for significant offshore wind development in Victoria and beyond, and a good framework in place for this new industry to deliver energy, jobs, and environmental benefits. We look forward to working in partnership with governments and other stakeholders to ensure that our proposals are realised in the national interest.”
