Spinifex is in the pre-planning phase. This involves investigating wind and ocean conditions and environmental constraints. It also includes early engagement with stakeholders and the local community. The project is anticipated to start producing power in 2032.
General project
The Spinifex Offshore Wind Farm location is proposed in the Australian Government’s Southern Ocean
Region Declared Area for offshore renewable energy. You can view the proposed project area here
Offshore wind has many benefits including the wind blowing at strengths and times that complement onshore wind farms, and the potential to host bigger turbines further away from population centres. As we transition away from fossil fuels like coal, offshore wind technology will play an important role in Victoria’s and Australia’s decarbonisation process.
The Spinifex project could make a significant contribution to Victoria’s offshore wind targets of 4 GW by 2035 and 9 GW by 2040.
The main material elements are wind turbines, undersea cables and export cables which connect to an onshore substation. The wind turbines will be transported to site and installed with specialised marine equipment.
The project could be maintained in its current form, repowered or decommissioned. The environmental assessment process will consider the decommissioning of the project. Decommissioning would involve dismantling the wind turbines, other offshore structures and above-ground components, and potentially cables.
It will depend on the size of the turbines selected and the layout, but it could include up to 70 turbines, with a total capacity of 1GW+.
About 4.8 TWh per year – enough energy to power over 650,000 Victorian homes each year.
The Portland Aluminium Smelter is a potential customer and grid connection point for the project. Any energy not used by the smelter would flow into the National Electricity Market (NEM) for use by other customers.
VicGrid has started early consultation on new transmission connections needed to help achieve the Victorian Government’s offshore wind targets. Spinifex’s development activities are separate from VicGrid’s current activities. Spinifex will consider VicGrid’s option(s) when they are further advanced.
Spinifex Offshore Wind Farm Pty Ltd is being developed by Alinta Energy and Parkwind. You can read about both organisations here.
Community benefits
The Spinifex Offshore Wind Farm could bring substantial medium- and long-term economic benefits to the local region. Our Local Supply Chain and Industry Development Study found that the project could generate approximately 1,700 jobs during construction and 350 ongoing jobs during operation in South West Victoria.
The local economy could also be boosted by increased demand for local goods and services like accommodation, hospitality, labour and education. The study found the project could contribute up to $1.6 billion during construction and $40 million each year in operations in South West Victoria’s economy.
You can read more about the study and the opportunities identified for the local industry here.
We’re committed to being a positive contributor to the community. A comprehensive benefit sharing program will be designed in consultation with local community members and stakeholders. This could include employment and skills development schemes, scholarships or funds to support social and environmental initiatives. As the project progresses, we will begin engaging with the community on its ambitions for a benefit sharing program.
Further details about jobs and opportunities for involvement will be made available as the project progresses. You can sign up for updates via our project email (info@spinifexoffshore.com.au) to stay informed about job or supplier opportunities.
Feedback about the Spinifex Offshore Wind Farm is always welcome.
You can get in touch at any time via a project-specific 1800 number (1800 008 33) or email address (info@spinifexoffshore.com.au).
Environmental impacts and approvals
We will undertake detailed assessments to identify potential impacts from the construction and operation of the offshore wind farm. This will include studies of coastal processes, marine ecology (including marine mammals and seabirds), fisheries, other marine users, and seascape and visual impact.
Results from these studies and the approvals process will inform decisions about how to best prevent and reduce environmental impacts. You can read more about the approvals process here.
Commercial fishing is an important industry in South West Victoria. We’ll work closely with industry stakeholders to understand their views throughout the project.
As part of the environmental impact assessment process, we will need to assess any socioeconomic impacts to marine users (such as commercial and recreational fishers) and identify how these impacts can be managed.
Offshore wind is a new industry in Australia and the Australian Government is still developing a framework to regulate its offshore wind projects.
The project will work closely with the recreational and commercial fishing community in South West Victoria to develop a co-existence strategy for the Spinifex Offshore Wind Farm.
Shipping and navigation studies will be undertaken during the project approvals process to identify potential effects on boat and vessel movements. This study will help determine what measures can be put in place to reduce impacts and risks to and from boat and vessel movements in the area.
Offshore wind farm cables generate EMF at low levels. Alternating current (AC) cables are proposed to be used for the Spinifex Offshore Wind Farm as they emit comparatively less EMF than direct current (DC) cables. The cables would be buried both onshore and offshore (or mechanically protected if they are unable to be buried offshore) to mitigate any impacts.
The impacts of EMF on marine species are typically low and localised and can be mitigated through burial of the cables.
