The gap between the ocean and turbine blades has increased from 25 metres to 35 metres, based on bird flight height data, to provide a safe zone for seabirds to fly and forage.
Star of the South plans to explore “established and cutting-edge technologies” to reduce underwater construction noise to ensure the right measures are in place to protect whales.
A ‘no trench’ construction method is planned to be used where cables come to shore to protect the beach and dunes above, and work is underway to adapt the project’s underground transmission route.
“With Yallourn closing in 2028, there’s a real need to bring new energy into the grid and create ongoing jobs and economic opportunities in Gippsland as soon as possible. We’re here to listen and work together – if you have ideas that can help make Star of the South a better project or if there’s something on your mind, please share it with us, our door is always open,” said Rattray .
Star of the South is led by Southerly Ten, a specialist offshore wind developer for Australia and New Zealand, backed by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) and Cbus Super.
If built to its full capacity, the up to 2.2 GW Star of the South offshore wind farm would generate enough electricity for 1.2 million homes, inject around AUD 3 billion into the Gippsland economy, and create up to 200 long-term local jobs across 30 years of operations.
Follow offshoreWIND.biz on: