The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced AUS$1.5 million (US$941,000) in funding to accelerate the development of a 1000MW offshore wind farm off the coast of Portland, Victoria.
Spinifex Offshore Wind Farm Pty Ltd will conduct a resource assessment for the wind project, which will be connected to the grid via an existing substation at the Portland Aluminium Smelter.
The supply of renewable power will help to decarbonise operations at the smelter, which represents approximately 10% of Victoria’s total electrical demand.
According to ARENA, this is a first-of-a-kind project that aims to demonstrate the direct integration of variable renewable energy generation with a large, continuous, industrial load.
ARENA CEO Darren Miller said in a statement: “Metals production, especially aluminium, represents one of Australia’s most energy intensive industries. We have a real need to help reduce emissions from smelters, which require a steady and sizeable supply of electricity to operate. Offshore wind could be a potential part of the solution space to this problem.
“Further, the early stage wind resource assessment of the Spinifex project will provide the industry with valuable insights regarding commercial, technical and regulatory aspects of offshore wind developments in Australia.”
Viability of offshore wind
The Spinifex project, currently in phase one of its development pathway, will ultimately improve understanding of the commercial viability of the offshore wind farm.
The project will also validate the wind resources at the proposed Portland site through the use of land-based Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) equipment.
The assessment will see Spinifex conduct stakeholder and community consultations before planning begins.
There are currently over 20 offshore wind projects in the early stages of development in Australia, according to ARENA.
