Blue Marlin Offshore Wind Project
| Project Name | Blue Marlin Offshore Wind Project |
| Technology | Offshore Wind |
| Capacity | 2,000 MW |
| Project Size | Up to 70,000 ha |
| Location | Gippsland Coast, Eastern Victoria |
| Construction Commencement | 2028 |
SECTIONS
PROJECT OVERVIEW
The Blue Marlin Offshore Wind Project is a proposed large-scale offshore wind farm with a total capacity of up to 2000 MW comprised of up to 140 wind turbines, located off the coast of Wellington Shire in Gippsland, Victoria. The Project is expected to be built across four stages with a capacity of 500 MW and up to 35 wind turbines per stage. Individual wind turbines are expected to have a capacity of 16 MW to 21 MW. The fixed-foundation project will be situated at least 23 kilometres from the coast in water depths up to 65 metres, limiting the visibility of the wind turbines from land. When complete, the Project is expected to generate approximately up to 10,000 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of energy annually, which is enough power to supply approximately 20% of Victoria’s forecast electricity needs in 2040.
The Gippsland basin has been identified as an optimal area to develop offshore wind due to high wind speeds, shallow waters, energy industry skills, and capacity to connect to the National Electricity Market. The Project will play an important role in meeting Victoria’s offshore wind target of 9 GW by 2040 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Project History
The Project was first identified as an ideal site for offshore wind development by Vena Energy in 2017, since which Vena Energy has undertaken stakeholder engagement and early-stage investigations into engineering design, and environmental and social impact considerations.
Planning Process
The Project is expected to require approval from the Commonwealth for project components located in Commonwealth waters, as well as State approval for project components located in State waters, and land-based project components.
The licensing and regulatory approval process includes:
- Application for a feasibility license to undertake scoping activities as per the requirements of the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act 2021 (OEI Act)
- Approval of management plans required for the construction, installation, operation, maintenance, and decommissioning of the Project from the Offshore Infrastructure Regulator
- If successful in securing a feasibility license, application for a commercial license, and transmission and infrastructure license following completion of feasibility activities.
- Assessment under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)
- Assessment under the Environmental Effects Act 1978 (EE Act)
The Project may commence construction when all licenses and approvals under the OEI Act, EPBC Act and EE Act have been obtained, and all other relevant Commonwealth and State requirements have been complied with.
Benefits
The key benefits of the Project include:
- Helping Victoria meet its renewable energy targets by generating up to 10,0000 GWh of renewable energy annually when all stages are fully operational.
- Developing skills within the Gippsland region to support the offshore wind industry, and supporting the transition of skilled and semi-skilled workers from offshore oil and gas and onshore thermal power generation sectors to the renewable energy sector.
- Creating and supporting complementary jobs in the legal, accounting, environmental research, and cleaning services sectors.
- Enhancing energy security by expanding the energy mix and providing a more diversified energy base.
Employment & Procurement
As an emerging leader in sustainable energy development in Australia, Vena Energy understands that our long-term success goes hand-in-hand with enhancing the broader well-being of the communities and regions in which we operate. Vena Energy supports a local procurement policy and will promote participation from local, regional, and Australian suppliers wherever possible. Local purchasing is likely to include a wide range of products and services, from shipping and logistics contractors, welders, electricians, mechanical assembly workers, plant and equipment operators, and administrators.
Vena Energy will:
- Partner with vocational institutes, universities, and other education and training providers to inform skills required for a new renewable energy workforce.
- Work with industry, government, unions, education providers, and Traditional Owners to identify capacity-building opportunities, including strengthening Victoria’s global supply chain, and supporting Victoria to become a world leader in renewable energy work skills, education and production.
- Partner with regional development authorities and local service providers to maximise local content opportunities.
- Collaborate with other project developers to identify economies of scale, and work with the industry to develop local, scalable supply chains for construction and asset management.
- Collaborate with potential grid companies and other project developers to reduce impact, minimise engagement fatigue, and identify opportunities for shared infrastructure and broader community benefits.
Project Documentation
Feedback
Vena Energy is committed to delivering world class renewable energy projects that better serve the interests of our communities and stakeholders.
Further to this commitment, we take pride in keeping an open ear, so we invite you to get in touch if you have any feedback or require additional Project information, please contact us via the platforms below.
Blue Marlin Offshore Wind Project Team
Phone: 1800 841 229
Email: bluemarlin@venaenergy.com
