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The federal government has given the go-ahead for a huge offshore wind farm off the NSW south coast.
Federal Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen is announcing the creation of the zone today, with climate activist groups backing the proposal.
In the area, offshore wind turbines will generate 2.9 gigawatts of reliable renewable energy, enough to power 1.8 million homes, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.
The proposed area would stretch from Stanwell Park to Kiama over 1,022 square kilometres, which is believed to allow space for 20 turbines.
The area was reduced by a third after concerns were raised during a community consultation.
The original plan called for the wind farms to be 10 kilometers from the coast, but now they will be 20 kilometers from the coast.
This is the fourth approved offshore wind site approved in Australia with others near the Hunter region in New South Wales, near Gippsland and Portland in Victoria.
Government-approved zones give wind farm developers the go-ahead to create projects for the designated zone.
The consultation process sparked heated debate in the coastal community who did not want the appearance of their pristine coastline to change.
Others were concerned about damage to their marine environment.
Both the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) and the Climate Council support the announcement.
Climate Council head of policy and advocacy Jennifer Rayner said the Illawarra had long been a manufacturing powerhouse and this would allow the region to continue to thrive in the coming years.
“Offshore wind will be an important part of Australia’s clean energy grid because it provides reliable, stable renewable energy around the clock,” Raynor said.
“This is one of the important ways we will power Australia as our aging and unreliable coal-fired generators close.
“We will also need more onshore wind power to develop a bigger, cleaner grid that can power our homes, businesses and clean manufacturing across NSW and across the country.”
ACF climate program manager Gavan Macfadzean said it was essential Australia divest from “climate-destroying fossil fuels and create a clean energy future”.
”Responsibly located large-scale renewable energy projects are vital to the Illawarra so that energy-intensive businesses can stay in the region, local workers can access ongoing jobs and everyone benefits from a safer climate,” Macfadzean said.
Despite the creation of the zone, the project still needs to be approved under the Environment and Biodiversity Protection Act, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.
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