Australia will be the first to allow offshore wind farms. Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen has declared part of the Victoria coast to be an offshore wind belt, and a 60-day regional consultation process will soon begin.
The Australian government has designated the country's first offshore wind farm. This allows developers to increase planning and consultation for wind projects.
Australia currently has no offshore wind. This was seen as too expensive and difficult to build compared to onshore wind and solar projects.
Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen says time is running out.
"We are far behind the game and far behind the rest of the world in generating wind from our coastlines. Again, we have a lot of work to do. Offshore wind farms are job-rich and energy-rich,” he said.
First official offshore wind range off The Gippsland Coast in Victoria. There are plans to install up to 200 wind turbines, the nearest being 7 kilometers from the coastline. It will be he one of the world's largest wind farms. Construction could start in 2025.
Other regions follow off the coast of New South Wales, Tasmania and Western Australia.
Erin Coldum is the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Danish-owned Star of the South Wind Project in Bass Strait, Victoria, which is Australia's fossil fuel He says it will help reduce dependence.
Has been supplying power and engaging in offshore oil and gas operations for over 100 years. But those communities know that those opportunities won't last forever. So there is great enthusiasm for technologies like offshore wind to continue that tradition into the future,” he said.
Wind turbines have been identified as a key part of Australia's plan to generate more than 80% of its energy demand from renewable sources by 2030.
By 2020, 24% of Australia's electricity will be
Solar power is Australia's largest source of green electricity. A quarter of his Australian homes have rooftop solar systems, the highest penetration rate in the world.
But nevertheless, Australia is one of the worst greenhouse gas emitters in the world. Coal and gas still generate the majority of electricity. Analysts say it has been seen as a lagging behind climate change for years.
But that perception is changing.
Australia is the first to legislate a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Last week, Parliament in Canberra passed new legislation to cut carbon emissions by 43% by 2030.
