Australia’s Labor Announces Scaled-Down Offshore Wind Farm Near Tasmania

Wind turbines dot the landscape at Pen y Cymoedd Wind Farm in Wales, the UK, on Aug. 1, 2024. Carl Court/Getty Images

The Australian government has announced a major offshore wind energy initiative aimed at bolstering Tasmania’s position as a renewable energy leader while creating thousands of new jobs.

Officials claim the new industry could create up to 12,000 jobs in construction and a further 6,000 ongoing roles for engineers, electrical technicians, cable installers, boilermakers, crane operators, riggers, divers, and seafarers.

“Tasmania is already an energy powerhouse—running on 100 percent renewables—but the power of offshore wind could see the state produce and export even more clean and reliable energy,” said Energy Minister Chris Bowen.

Offshore Wind

The proposed offshore wind zone is expected to deliver up to 20 GW of round-the-clock renewable energy—equivalent to more than half of the current electricity demand across southeast Australia.

To illustrate, one rotation of an offshore wind turbine’s blades can generate as much energy as an average rooftop solar installation does in a day.

This announcement comes a day after the government’s decision to greenlight 19 renewable energy projects across New South Wales (NSW), Queensland, Victoria, and South Australia.

These projects—spanning solar, wind and hybrid systems integrated with batteries—are expected to power 3 million Australian households.

Most projects are expected to be operational by 2028.

Bass Strait Zone Reduced After Consultation

In response to feedback from local leaders, industry, fishers, unions, Indigenous Australians, and community groups, the government has reduced the size of the declared Bass Strait zone and moved it further offshore.

It now sits at least 30 km off Tasmania’s north coast and spans 7,100 km², about 30 percent smaller than the original proposal. It also includes a designated shipping lane.

“The Tasmanian government welcomes the declaration of an offshore wind zone in commonwealth waters off the coast of northern Tasmania,” said Tasmanian Minister for Energy and Renewables Nick Duigan.

He added that an offshore wind industry can help our state maximize its potential as a green energy powerhouse, creating thousands of new jobs and cleaner, cheaper energy and contributing to our nation’s leading 200 percent by 2040 Renewable Energy Target.

Developers Invited to Apply for Licences

Offshore wind developers can now apply for feasibility licences until March 12, 2025 to assess the feasibility of offshore wind projects in the declared Bass Strait zone.

To be awarded a licence, developers must demonstrate their project will deliver the most benefits for Tasmania, its workforce, and Australia’s energy security.

“Strict environmental stewardship and community engagement requirements must also be adhered to, and projects must be compatible with existing marine users,” the government said.

Opposition Advocates Nuclear Energy

While the government continues to launch renewable energy projects, Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton urged a balanced energy approach, arguing for nuclear power alongside renewables to meet increasing energy demands.

In the South Australian Sunday Mail, Dutton stated, “The time for nuclear is now,” highlighting its role in providing reliable, 24/7 baseload power essential for industries like data centres and automation. He criticised Labor for excluding nuclear energy, describing the Coalition’s approach as prioritising environmental and economic stability.