OFFSHORE wind project Star of the South has lodged its environmental impact statement for approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act.
Star of the South recently achieved four major milestones and is pushing to unlock a new wave of clean energy.
The EIS is the primary environmental approval required for the project to proceed.
It follows a major land purchase where the project’s cables are expected to come to shore, securing renewed major project status with the Commonwealth government, and formally entering into an engagement agreement with the traditional owners.
The environmental approval submission follows seven years of technical and environmental studies.
Star of the South chief executive Charles Rattray said the assessment was the most comprehensive undertaken for an energy project in Australia.
“This environmental assessment reflects seven years of rigorous science and consultation to understand the local environment and how to protect it. We’ve done the work, and then some, to ensure government and the community can have confidence that the project will be delivered responsibly,” he said.
In a separate milestone, Star of the South has bought 120 hectares of farmland on Gippsland’s coast near Reeves Beach. This site is where underground cables are to come to shore, bringing the electricity generated out at sea into the grid.
“Securing the shore crossing site locks in a critical piece of the project’s infrastructure and reinforces our long-term commitment to Gippsland,” Mr Rattray said.
“This is a huge step forward, recognising the positive relationships we’ve built with landholders over time, which we’ll continue to prioritise through the next steps of development.”
The Commonwealth government renewed major project status for Star of the South, recognising its potential contribution to Australia’s clean energy needs.
The decision means the project will continue to receive support from the Major Projects Facilitation Agency for another three years.
“These milestones show that Australia’s offshore wind industry is no longer an idea on the horizon – it’s moving from concept to reality and Star of the South is leading the way,” Mr Rattray said.
“We’re getting on with Australia’s first offshore wind project to power more than 1.2 million homes and deliver 10 per cent of the emission reductions needed to reach Australia’s 2035 climate target.
“No matter which way you look at it, any realistic scenario for a secure, reliable energy future has offshore wind in the mix.”