Wind turbines almost twice size of the Sydney Harbour Bridge to be built off coast of Australia

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How the views at some of Australia’s most scenic coastal spots will be VERY different under a plan to build DOZENS of huge wind turbines in the ocean

  • The 260metre-long turbines will be built offshore around Australia’s coast
  • Six zones have been proposed for the turbines, with 8,000 jobs to be created 
  • First project off Gippsland, Vic, will have 200 turbines just 7km out to sea 
  • Federal govt is hoping it will be a step towards achieving net-zero by 2050

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Dozens of massive wind turbines turning blades more than 100metres long may soon be spotted off the coast of some of Australia’s most picturesque spots.

The turbines will soar 260metres into the sky, towering over the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge which is 135metres above sea level.

Six offshore wind turbine projects have been proposed, including off the coast of Victoria’s Gippsland region, Bass Strait, the NSW Hunter and Illawarra regions, and near Perth and Bunbury in WA.   

Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen announced the plans earlier this month, adding Australia needed to catch up with other continents utilising offshore wind farms.

‘We’re way behind the game – way behind the rest of the world – in producing wind off our coastline,’ he said.

Dozens of massive wind turbines may soon be spotted turning off the coast of Australia

Dozens of massive wind turbines may soon be spotted turning off the coast of Australia

From 2030, it’s estimated 8,000 job opportunities will be created as a result of the windfarms. 

The waters off Gippsland will be the first zone where the turbines are installed with the project named Star of the South.

The closest turbine in the zone would be just 7km out to sea.

That project would be one of the largest offshore windfarms in the world, with 200 turbines proposed to provide up to 20 per cent of Victoria’s energy.

It’s currently in the middle of a 60-day consultation period. 

The turbines proposed for the Illawarra and Hunter regions will likely be able to be seen from shore on clear days.

The turbines will soar 260metres into the sky, towering over the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge which is 135m above sea level, with each blade stretching more than 100 metres long

The turbines will soar 260metres into the sky, towering over the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge which is 135m above sea level, with each blade stretching more than 100 metres long

The turbines will soar 260metres into the sky, towering over the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge which is 135m above sea level, with each blade stretching more than 100 metres long

Mr Bowen said a range of issues will need to be discussed with stakeholders, including for those who fish in the areas proposed for the turbines. 

‘There will be questions, there will be valid concerns, and there will be issues that need to be worked through with communities,’ he said. 

‘Just one rotation of one offshore wind turbine provides as much energy as an average rooftop solar installation generates in one day.’

The projects will be the first offshore wind turbines in Australia.

The federal government is hoping the offshore turbines will be an important step towards Australia meeting its net-zero emissions target by 2050. 

Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen announced the plans earlier this month, adding Australia needed to catch up with other continents utilising offshore wind farms

Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen announced the plans earlier this month, adding Australia needed to catch up with other continents utilising offshore wind farms

Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen announced the plans earlier this month, adding Australia needed to catch up with other continents utilising offshore wind farms