Alinta Energy and Belgium’s Parkwind have submitted a feasibility application for the 1 GW Spinifex offshore wind project in Australia.
The application was lodged with the Offshore Infrastructure Registrar. According to the partners, a feasibility license would grant Spinifex the opportunity to explore the viability or practicality of the proposed project within a designated area.
It is a requirement that allows projects to conduct further research, tests, and consultation.
“It’s taken almost four years of early development work to get to this stage. We’ve submitted an extensive application in what’s a key milestone for the Spinifex project,” said Linden Blair , Spinifex Project Development Manager.
“ Our early work has included several initial environmental and technical studies as well as early engagement with key stakeholders and the community,” said Peter Caluwaerts , Project Director.
The 1 GW project was unveiled by Alinta in 2021 with the aim of running an aluminium smelter in Portland entirely on renewable power.
Alinta Energy and Parkwind, a subsidiary of JERA Nex , joined forces in April this year to develop the Spinifex offshore wind farm in the Southern Ocean Region Declared Area in southwest Victoria.
“We’re hoping that licences will be awarded as soon as possible. In the meantime, we will continue to undertake pre-licence award work such as environmental surveys for marine life, wind monitoring, and stakeholder engagement where appropriate,” said François Van Leeuw , co-CEO of Parkwind.
According to Van Leeuw, if the partners are awarded a licence, they will begin their detailed studies and consultation process.
“The Victorian and Commonwealth governments have set ambitious renewable energy targets and we’re confident that a completed Spinifex project will play a critical role in enabling this transition,” said Van Leeuw .