RPS Group has been appointed to carry out environmental studies for Start of the South, Australia’s first offshore wind project.
RPS will undertake marine mammal and bird surveys to support the project’s offshore planning approvals.
The deal was signed by Star of the South Chief Executive Casper Frost Thorhauge and RPS Executive General Manager for Place and Environment Susan Farr.
“RPS is excited to be able to drive success for Australia’s first offshore wind project by combining the expertise we have gained on other offshore wind projects overseas including the Hornsea Projects in the UK–the largest currently under construction globally–with our experience managing Australia’s most complex environmental studies, plans and approvals,” said Farr .
“We’re pleased to be working on an iconic project like the Star of the South, which has the potential to transform our energy supply, while delivering positive environmental, community and economic outcomes for Gippsland, Victoria and Australia.”
Eight subsea passive acoustic monitoring recorders will be deployed at the Star of the South site from mid-February as part of a passive acoustic monitoring program for vocalizing marine mammals.
Also, a bathymetric and geophysical site survey will commence at the site offshore Gippsland on 28 February.
Star of the South could comprise up to 250 turbines with a combined capacity of up to 2GW. The project is a joint development by Australia’s Offshore Energy and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP).