Corio says environmental surveys “well advanced” in Australia’s first offshore wind zone

Global offshore wind developer Corio Generation announced on Monday that it nearing the half-way mark of the environmental survey assessment for its proposed Great Eastern Offshore Wind farm, off the coast of Gippsland in Victoria.

The proposed 2.5GW Great Eastern Offshore Wind farm is being developed by Corio Generation, a Macquarie Green Investment Group portfolio company, and could begin operations in the early part of the next decade.

And according to Corio Generation, the environmental survey assessment is on track to be completed on time.

“We are well advanced in our program, having completed the first nine months of surveys of a 24-month environmental baseline program,” said Penny Pickett, head of Australia for Corio Generation.

“We have taken a locals-first approach in the delivery of these surveys, with all boat-based surveys utilising local Gippsland vessels.

“We have developed strong partnerships with Deakin University, Monash University and other environmental scientists, including RPS, APEM, Jasco, Biosis and Fathom Pacific.”

The extensive surveys and investigations being undertaken as part of the assessment will allow researchers to monitor the natural marine environment, with particular focus on marine mammals, seabirds, fish, and other marine life that life and migrate around the project site in the Bass Strait.

The 24-month aerial, boat, and acoustic monitoring surveys aim to capture a full spectrum of environmental conditions and marine life in Bass Strait, helping to inform the design and construction of the Great Eastern Offshore Wind.

Corio Generation also revealed that they have submitted project referrals to inform the State Environment Effects Statement and Commonwealth Environment Impact Statement approval process for the emerging offshore wind industry.

Located close to the site of the proposed 2.2GW Star of the South offshore wind farm, the 2.5GW Great Eastern Offshore Wind would support up to 1,700 direct jobs during peak construction and 340 jobs during operation, while delivering power equivalent to the needs of 1.6 million homes.