Australia declares new offshore wind zone

The project can supply electricity to more than two million homes.

The Australian government has identified a new offshore wind zone located in the Southern Ocean off western Victoria which could generate 2.9 gigawatts of energy.

In a statement, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water said the third officially declared offshore wind zone is capable of providing 1,740 jobs during construction and 870 ongoing operation jobs.

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The department added that the new zone could provide power to over two million homes.

“The Southern Ocean offshore wind zone has the potential to create thousands of new, high-value jobs and help secure cleaner, cheaper more reliable energy for regional Victoria,” Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen

“Australia has abundant renewable energy, the cheapest form of energy, and the government is committed to helping Australians benefit from these natural resources, including offshore wind.