Offshore wind is unlikely to make a significant contribution to Victoria’s energy supply until well into the 2030s if not later, say experts, casting doubt on the ability for the emerging sector to play a part this decade in replacing closing coal power stations.
Victoria’s Energy and Climate Change Minister, Lily D’Ambrosio, last week cited the state’s big expansion in offshore wind as one reason it can rule out coal and gas power plants from the “capacity” mechanism for the National Electricity Market.
She said warnings from the Energy Security Board of “renewable drotughts” in the Victorian winter were not valid because new offshore wind projects would “blow any shortfall out of the water”.
