BlueFloat Energy, Energy Estate expand Greater Gippsland Offshore Wind Project

Offshore staff

SYDNEY, Australia — BlueFloat Energy and Energy Estate have expanded the proposed capacity of the Greater Gippsland Offshore Wind Project from 1.275 GW to 2.085 GW. The project is located in the Bass Strait off the coast of Gippsland in Victoria, which last month was declared by the Australian government as the first area to be assessed for suitability for offshore wind developments. 

The increase in the capacity of the Greater Gippsland Offshore Wind Project to more than 2 GW results from the company's detailed analysis of the investigation area announced in 2021 and its potential for offshore wind. It takes into account the proposed offshore zone area, available grid capacity, accelerated retirement of coal-fired energy generation and the Australian government’s support for an increasing but orderly transition to renewable energy.  

The water depth at the Greater Gippsland Offshore Wind Project means that bottom-fixed technology will be used for this project.  

Nick Sankey, country manager for BlueFloat Energy, said “Projects like the Greater Gippsland Offshore Wind Project will build on the momentum for the accelerated retirement of brown coal-fired power stations and complement the existing and planned transmission infrastructure investments in Gippsland. There is also clear political will and a strong appetite for the necessary renewables-led economic evolution that is coming."

Simon Currie, founder of Energy Estate, added, “The expansion of our Gippsland project is aligned with the Victorian government’s ambitious target for offshore wind generation. It demonstrates BlueFloat Energy and Energy Estate’s commitment to the development of large-scale projects, which can enhance long-term energy security in Victoria and across the National Electricity Market.“ 

The Australian government announced five more zones across Australia, and companies can make a submission by Oct. 7 to the government’s consultation on the suitability of the Bass Strait off Gippsland as the first declared offshore wind zone.

BlueFloat Energy and Energy Estate have a portfolio of offshore wind projects in development in Australia including the Hunter Coast Offshore Wind Project and the Wollongong Offshore Wind Project in NSW and the Southern Winds Offshore Wind Project in Victoria.  The partners are also assessing further sites for large-scale offshore wind projects across Australia. 

09.08.2022