Australia’s leading offshore wind project slashes turbine numbers and lifts blade gap to protect sea birds

Star of the South, regarded as the Australia leading and most likely first offshore wind project, has unveiled a series of significant changes to its plans, including a large cut in the number of turbines and lifting the blades higher off the ocean.

The 2.2 gigawatt project will now seek to install 150 turbines instead of 200, which it says reflects “advancements” in wind turbine technology – essentially bigger and more powerful turbines which its numbers now suggest will include at least 15 megawatt (MW) turbines of up to 350 metres tall.

However, it has also announced design changes that include lifting the gap between the ocean and turbine blades from 25 metres to 35 metres. This will occur because of taller turbines, and the company says this decision is based on looking at “bird flight height data”, and to provide “a safe zone for seabirds to fly and forage.”

A number of other changes have been unveiled, mostly relating to turbine locations and construction methods which are designed to avoid sensitive reefs and reduce construction noise to protect whales.

Star of the South secured a Commonwealth Feasibility Licence in May and is widely regarded as the country’s most advanced project, and likely the first to be built, producing power by the end of the decade.

Victoria has a target of 2 GW of wind power by 2032, 4 GW by 2035 and 9 GW by 2040 to replace the last of its last brown coal generators that will retire over the coming decade. Star of the South has largely avoided the pushback from local communities that have dogged other offshore wind projects around the country.

“We’ve learned a lot since we first set out to explore the potential for offshore wind in Gippsland five years ago”, Star of the South CEO Charles Rattray said in a statement.

“We’ve collected vast amounts of scientific data and listened to local advice to help develop a project that can contribute to Victoria’s energy security, the environment and local communities.. 

“There’s also new technology, new government requirements, and a fast-evolving energy landscape to adapt to as we plan for Star of the South.” 

Rattray says the design changes have been shaped by detailed marine environment data collected over three years on whales, birds, fish, and seabed habitats. 

“Using this scientific data, we can make evidence-based decisions about how to best design, construct and operate the project in a way that is sensitive to the local environment,” he said.

The Star of the South statement says both established and cutting-edge technologies to reduce underwater construction noise are being explored, to ensure the right measures are in place to protect whales.  

• A ‘no trench’ construction method will 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, in line with VicGrid requirements.  

“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,” Rattray said. 

Meanwhile, Southerly Ten, the offshore wind developer behind the Star of the South project, has launched the Offshore Wind Net Positive Challenge in partnership with the Ocean Impact Organisation, an initiate that seeks to ensure the offshore wind industry has a positive impact on the ocean, biodiversity and climate. 

“Offshore wind projects will provide a reliable climate and energy solution, and the challenge we’re putting out there is – ‘what can we do better?’ Rattray said.

“We’re looking forward to uncovering new innovations to support the offshore wind industry, in Australia and globally, to leave a positive legacy for nature and climate.”