4C Offshore Empowering Intelligence

Star of the South goes fishing for data

4C Offshore | Bridget Randall-Smith
By: Bridget Randall-Smith 02/07/2020 4COffshore

Fish surveys are underway at Australia's first offshore wind farm as part of the ongoing environmental analysis process. The
Star of the South project is being developed by Australian headquartered Offshore Energy and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) and represents a potential AU$8bn (€5bn) investment.

The project is located 10-25 km off the south coast of Gippsland, Victoria and could consist of up to 400 turbines on grounded foundations with an overall capacity exceeding 2 GW. The project will also feature offshore substation platforms, up to 13 buried AC export cables with landfall at Reeves Beach and/or McGaurans Beach, onshore cabling and up to four substations connecting the windfarm to the National Electricity Market.


Earlier this year, developers took the first step in the assessment process, referring the project to the Victorian Minister for Planning to consider an Environment Effects Statement (EES) and to the Federal Minister for the Environment under the Environment Protection and Biosecurity Conservation Act (EPBC).

The developers recently commenced fish surveys, which will last until mid-July as part of environmental impact assessment studies.


Survey work to be carried out includes baited remote underwater video camera deployments, scientific Danish seine fishing and scientific gillnet fishing. The vessel  Seapride MB833 XVV will be used to deploy equipment as well as FV Gabo Bay IL948 and Nephelle UFM


An exploration license was granted last year and site investigations commenced in November 2019. Other ongoing studies include:


- Wind and wave monitoring

- Marine mammal sound monitoring

- Bird tagging

- Onshore fauna surveys for native animals and birds

- Visual and digital surveys for marine mammals and birds

The developer will use the data collected and prepare a final EES report for approval from the government. The developers are to prepare a consultation plan, informing the public and consulting with stakeholders during the preparation of the EES. The environmental assessment process is expected to take around two years.


It is expected that the project will need a number of approvals from various government bodies. These include approval under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), Planning approval under the Victorian Planning and Environment Act 1987, a marine and coastal consent under the Victorian Marine and Coastal Act 2019 as well as a cultural heritage management plan under the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006. The developers will also need a commercial licence to construct and operate the project. Other approvals and consents may also be  identified through the assessment process and in consultation with regulatory agencies. The Commonwealth Government is currently working on a new regulatory framework for the development of offshore renewable energy projects.


If approved,
Star of the South is expected to have the potential to generate up to 20% of Victoria’s electricity needs and would feed power into the national grid via an underground cable to the Latrobe Valley.

For more information on offshore wind farms worldwide, click here.

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