Offshore wind can revitalise Victoria’s manufacturing

Victorian industry will get a major boost from affordable and reliable offshore wind energy after Premier Daniel Andrews outlined ambitious targets today. The Premier said the state will build 2GW of offshore wind by 2028, 4GW by 2035, and 9GW by 2040.

“These ambitious offshore wind targets will be a boon for industry and jobs in Victoria,” said Beyond Zero Emissions’ Chief Executive Heidi Lee.

“Offshore wind means onshore jobs. Every job created in offshore wind creates another eight onshore jobs. It’s not just the construction phase of offshore wind farms – which is thousands of jobs on its own – but also the onshore manufacturing of blades, turbines and towers.

“Turbine manufacture is labour intensive, requiring 150 people to make the main components for a 100 MW wind farm. Large turbine manufacturers prefer to make components locally once a market reaches sufficient size. This announcement is an opportunity to establish a strong and competitive offshore wind component-manufacturing sector in Victoria – especially in industrial centres such as the Latrobe Valley and Geelong. Manufacturing will boost the economy in many other sectors.

“Offshore wind will also help revitalise Victoria’s manufacturing sector by providing the energy needed to turbocharge regional manufacturing, producing green steel and aluminium, hydrogen and ammonia, and batteries and critical minerals. Our research shows that Australia could generate $333 billion in green exports by 2050.

“Offshore wind projects could support a resurgence in manufacturing in regional Australia, with the supply of high quality, long-duration renewable energy. The luck of Australia’s unique geography means there are exceptional offshore wind resources located next door to many of our regional industrial hubs, including the Latrobe Valley. Offshore wind is the key that will unlock the industrial future of regional Australia.

“Offshore wind backers are champing at the bit to get going, with three projects already slated for the Gippsland coast and three off Newcastle. The Australian Energy Market Operator has targeted four regions – north-west Tasmania, Gippsland, Illawarra and Newcastle – which could each produce 10 gigawatts of power.”