The Albanian government has given the green light to a huge and controversial offshore wind farm stretching along one of Australia’s most scenic coastlines.
Federal Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen will announce the creation of the zone in Wollongong, 93 kilometers south of Sydney, on Saturday morning.
“Through this zone, the Albanian government will supply up to 2.9 gigawatts of reliable renewable energy, enough to power 1.8 million homes,” Bowen said.
The proposed project has caused enormous controversy in the Illawarra region, with protests against it from both those opposed to renewable energy and those with environmental concerns.
Some opponents said the project would look unsightly from the shore and would disturb both seabirds and migrating whales.
The Albanian government has given the green light to a huge and controversial offshore wind farm stretching along one of Australia’s most scenic coastlines. Pictured is a protest against this last October.
However, the impact of environmental concerns was tempered by the circulation of a false magazine article claiming it would kill 400 whales a year.
Following public consultation, the turbines will be located 20 kilometers offshore instead of the originally proposed 10 kilometers, and the overall size of the wind farm footprint has been reduced by a third.
Climate Council head of policy and advocacy Jennifer Rayner said the Illawarra region, long a manufacturing powerhouse, would continue to prosper for generations with clean, affordable energy produced in the region.
“Offshore wind will be an important part of Australia’s clean energy network because it provides reliable and consistent renewable energy 24 hours a day,” Dr Rayner said.
‘This is one of the important ways we will provide power to Australia as our old and unreliable coal generators close.
“Federal and state governments must work together to quickly overcome obstacles that are holding back the implementation of onshore wind projects that already have the support of communities and investors.”
University of Wollongong Energy Futures Network director Ty Christopher hailed the offshore wind project as a positive step for the region.
“By working together as a community, sharing our environmental concerns to co-design a clean energy future for the region, we have the ability to achieve positive outcomes for our oceans, our communities and our local economy,” he said.
The proposed project has caused widespread controversy in the Illawarra region, with protests against it from both those opposed to renewable energy and those with environmental concerns (pictured, artist’s impression of the proposed project).
Thousands of people attended a demonstration against the proposal at Flagstaff Point last October, with Environmental activists said the wind farm would be in the migratory path of up to 40,000 whales.
The creation of the new zone will allow investors to apply to build offshore wind within the boundaries.
Illawarra Offshore Wind says on its website it could begin construction in 2028 following approvals and turn on power in 2030.
It hopes to create up to 3,000 jobs through the project.