THE Port of Hastings is the preferred port to be used to support offshore wind power generation projects.
The state government’s Navigating our Port Futures – Victorian Commercial Ports Strategy identifies land at Hastings suited to support the industry.
The government is providing early investment in the redevelopment of the Port of Hastings to support the establishment of the offshore wind sector, with Hastings offering the potential for construction, manufacturing and research firms to co-locate on land already zoned for these purposes.
On its website the Port of Hastings Corporation says the port has land available adjacent to naturally deep shipping channels and has extensive appropriately zoned land that could be developed to support the emerging offshore wind sector, including local manufacturing.
The preference for the Port of Hastings comes after assessing and comparing the viability of various ports to deliver on offshore wind targets.
The Premier Daniel Andrews says offshore wind will be a key component of Victoria’s clean energy future, which sets ambitious targets of 2GW of offshore generation by 2032, 4GW of offshore wind capacity by 2035 and 9GW by 2040.
The government predicts the state’s wind resources could sustain up to 6100 jobs – 3100 for 15 years during the development and construction phases, and an extra 3000 ongoing jobs during operations.
The area of the Port of Hastings identified for redevelopment is the Old Tyabb Reclamation Area, between Esso’s Long Island Point plant and BlueScope Steel. The development would require new buildings and berths.
The port development will be progressed in consultation with community as well as being subject to an Environment Effects Statement, with the port being recognised as a Ramsar-listed wetland.
The Department of Transport will manage the community and industry consultation process likely to begin at the end of this year.
First published in the Western Port News – 2 November 2022
