Australia’s First Offshore Wind Farm Takes Next Step Toward Reality

December 1st, 2017 by Joshua S Hill

Australia’s first offshore wind farm has taken the next step toward becoming a reality this week with Victorian-based developer Offshore Energy announcing it has partnered with Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners to develop the 2 gigawatt Star of the South offshore wind farm.

The Star of the South was first proposed earlier this year in June, when Victorian-based developer Offshore Energy announced plans to develop the 2 GW (gigawatt) offshore wind farm, which would be Australia’s first offshore wind farm — a long time in coming, considering Australia’s natural offshore wind energy resources. Set to be located 10 to 25 kilometers off the southern coast of Victoria, the southernmost state on the country’s mainland, in the Bass Strait, the Star of the South would require total investment of approximately AUD$8 billion and include up to 250 wind turbines delivering approximately 8,000 gigawatt-hours of electricity each year — which is around 18% of Victoria’s current demand.

This week, Offshore Energy revealed that it has entered into partnership with Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), on behalf of the fund Copenhagen Infrastructure III K/S (CI III), to continue development of the project.

“Offshore Energy is delighted to partner with Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, one of the leading offshore wind developers in the world, to develop Australia’s first offshore wind farm,” said Andy Evans, Managing Director of Offshore Energy. “The partnership brings together local knowledge and proven international experience that we believe will deliver many benefits for Australia, Victoria and local communities.”

”Star of the South offers a unique opportunity within offshore wind in a new market. We are very satisfied with this partnership, and look forward to contributing our competence and experience in cooperation with Offshore Energy, all levels of Government and key stakeholders in the development of the first offshore wind project in Australia,” says Torsten Lodberg Smed, Senior Partner in Copenhagen Infrastructure Partner.











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