Wind energy – Tasmania
Sydney-based Nexsphere has revealed plans to build an offshore wind farm in the Bass Strait off Tasmania with a capacity of between 500 MW and 1,000 MW.
The project is scheduled to be built in phases that would come online from 2026.
The Tasmanian Liberal government has welcomed Nexsphere’s announcement.
Tasmania already generates 100% of its electricity needs from renewable energy and has legislated to increase it to 200% by 2040.
The Bass Strait has been identified as one of the best options for offshore wind power generation in the country by the Blue Economy Cooperative Research Center, the government of Tasmania has said.
These projects also complement Project Marinus, Battery of the Nation, and the country’s plans to supply renewable energy to an emerging green hydrogen industry that will be based in the advanced manufacturing area of Bell Bay.
Bass Strait was found to have ever stronger and stronger winds at points 50 and 100 kilometers offshore from other locations and just behind Portland at Victoria for one location 25 kilometers offshore.
As part of the Tasmanian Renewable Energy Action Plan, the government has identified Tasmania’s ocean, tidal and offshore energy resources as a key direction towards providing a fully self-sufficient and fully green energy supply that can power the wider national energy network to generate significant economic benefits for the State.
