Australia has officially launched the country’s first offshore wind farm zone, with government officials and environmental advocates touting the project as a “game changer” for the domestic energy market.
The zone is located on the coast of Gippsland south of Victoria and covers about 15,000 square kilometres (5,790 square miles) offshore, running from Lakes Entrance in the east to south of Wilsons Promontory in the west.
The Australian government said the offshore wind projects off Gippsland could generate over 3,000 jobs in the next 15 years during the development and construction phases and another 3,000 ongoing jobs when they commenced operation.
At present, the Victorian government has confirmed that three offshore projects will be developed within the zone: Seadragon, Great Southern, and Star of the South….