Star of the South – Australia’s first offshore wind project – is proposed to be located off the south coast of Gippsland near towns such as Port Albert, McLoughlins Beach and Woodside.
The project involves wind turbines in the sea, generating electricity from the strong and consistent Bass Strait winds. It would connect into one of the strongest points in the energy grid in the Latrobe Valley, supplying around 20% of the State of Victoria’s electricity needs.
Star of the South would continue Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley’s proud history of power generation into the future by harnessing Gippsland’s unique offshore wind resource for a clean energy future.
Jobs and training opportunities would help to re-skill and transition workers, creating a new local offshore wind industry.
Offshore wind is a proven driver for jobs and supply chain opportunities. The project has the potential to contribute to a new clean energy hub in Gippsland, boosting domestic job and manufacturing capabilities and building exports from other technologies such as hydrogen.
Businesses interested in supplying to Star of the South can register their details at the project’s Industry Capability Network (ICN) Gateway.
Star of the South is in the early feasibility phase, with site investigations and environmental data collection underway.
A Victorian-based team with global offshore wind experience and local ‘know how’ is progressing the project, with investment from Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners – a world leader in offshore wind.
Drop into the project’s Gippsland office at 310 Commercial Road in Yarram to chat to the team. From Monday 7 December, the office will re-open with a COVIDSafe plan. Opening times are advertised on the project website and will initially be Mondays and Thursdays from 10am-4pm.
Visit Star of the South’s website to find out more about the potential for offshore wind in Gippsland or follow Star of the South Project on Facebook for the latest news.