Offshore Wind Farm Appraisal: Victoria, Australia Project Analysis

This report assesses the feasibility of an offshore wind farm project proposed for the coast of Victoria, Australia. The project, involving 250 turbines off the Gippsland coast, aims to contribute significantly to the state's renewable energy targets. However, the development faces challenges, including intense competition from onshore wind projects and the absence of local turbine manufacturers. The appraisal considers the available wind resources and potential environmental impacts, alongside threats from natural disasters like earthquakes and cyclones. The Victorian government supports the project, anticipating it will reduce electricity costs, but a comprehensive feasibility study is crucial for its success and competitiveness.

The Appraisal of offshore wind power in
Australia
• An offshore wind farm unveiled in the state of
Victoria faces the problem of immense
competition from onshore projects.
• The development would involvement
assessment of the wind resource available
taking into account the environmental issues
that have to be addressed before the
commencement of the project.
• Lack of native makers of turbines or an
established supplier makes it hard for offshore
generation to gain competitive advantage
(Thomsen 2014, p. 322).
• Offshore Energy, a private developer, proposed
to conduct a feasibility study that would bring
a 250-turbine project 25 kilometers off
Gippsland coast which is at the southeast of
the state of Victoria.
• The move was highly welcome by the
government of Victoria which believed it
would lower the cost of electricity making
energy more affordable.
• The project would generate to the tune of 40%
of the power to the Labor Government’s
Renewable Energy Target by 2025 (Association
2012, p. 566).
• Earthquakes and cyclones are the main threats
to the development if this project bearing
their level of frequency in Australia

References
Association, EWE 2012, Wind Energy - The Facts: A Guide to the Technology, Economics and Future of Wind
Power, 3rd edn, Routledge, Washington DC.
Thomsen, K 2014, Offshore Wind: A Comprehensive Guide to Successful Offshore Wind Farm Installation, 2nd
edn, Academic Press, New York.