So what's the deal with offshore wind farms?

Wind power isn't exactly new — we've all seen those giant turbines dotting the Western District’s landscape around Macarthur, Hawkesdale, Portland and Dundonnell. But stick them out in the ocean? That's the next frontier in renewable energy.

Offshore wind farms are exactly that: clusters of wind turbines planted in the seabed or floating on platforms in relatively shallow waters.

Last year, the federal government began eyeing our coastline as part of Australia's push toward more renewable energy. After months of consultation, it officially declared the Southern Ocean Wind Zone on March 6, 2024. This zone sits 15–20km off the Warrnambool and Port Fairy coast and could generate enough electricity to power over two million homes, according to the government. 

Modern offshore turbines are engineering marvels — far larger than anything we've seen on land. They can reach 260 metres tall with single blades stretching 115 metres — which means a 230-250 metre total wingspan when at full spin. For perspective, the average soccer field is about 100 metres — so yeah, giant blades.

The Southern Ocean zone has already shrunk to a fifth of its original proposed size of 5,100 square kilometres following significant community opposition. 

During the consultation period the government received 3,285 submissions from residents, community groups and local authorities. 

Many raised environmental impacts, threats to marine life, visual pollution and the industrialisation of pristine coastline. The reduced area was chosen to avoid major shipping routes, fishing grounds and the ecologically significant Bonney Upwelling.

But wait, what about the whales?

It's the question on many people's lips. Logans Beach whale nursery is a local treasure, and the thought of giant turbines disrupting southern right whale habitat has many folks worried.

Federal Climate Change Minister, Chris Bowen, insists that whales and wind turbines coexist around the world, calling them "sophisticated animals that know how to navigate their way around things".

But many locals remain deeply sceptical. Gunditjmara woman Yaraan Couzens Bundle, founder of the Southern Ocean Protection Embassy Collective, has been vocal in her opposition. 

"It's directly in line with Victorian waters' only recorded southern right whale nursing grounds," she told the ABC recently. "We’re talking pregnant southern right whales heading back to their birthing and calving grounds, and if we lose this site because of industrialisation, there goes the tourism industry for this whole coastline."

The government says all projects need environmental approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, with developers required to conduct extensive assessments on potential impacts to marine life.

Jobs and dollars

The offshore wind industry promises serious economic potential. The government projects 1,740 jobs during construction and 870 ongoing roles.

Portland, with its deep-water port and existing industrial infrastructure, is positioned as the likely service hub — despite being outside the actual wind zone.

This has some Warrnambool and Moyne residents questioning where the local benefits lie. "Everyone who lives here deserves to see some benefit from this," argues Warrnambool Mayor Ben Blain. "It can't just be something off [our] shore and benefits another part of the region."

Though Blain does acknowledge the issue isn't black and white: “Council is conscious that this is a nuanced issue and we believe many in the community do not view this as a simple yes/no equation.”

In March, Warrnambool City Council stated it would engage with the Australian Government on four key issues: protection of the endangered southern right whale nursery, visual impacts on tourism, prohibiting seismic testing, and ensuring all transmission infrastructure is underground.

Looking ahead

Don't expect to see turbines sprouting offshore tomorrow. The Southern Ocean zone declaration was just the first step in a multi-year process.

Following the declaration, companies prepared applications for feasibility licences, which closed on July 2, 2024. Under current regulations, feasibility licence holders have up to seven years to complete their studies and prepare for construction.

In February 2025, the Australian Government granted a feasibility licence to Spinifex Offshore Wind Farm for its proposed project in the Southern Ocean zone — the only feasibility licence awarded in the region to date.​

A Southern Ocean Wind Industry Committee has been established to maximise potential benefits for the region, bringing together the licence holder, government representatives, First Nations groups, local industry and educational institutions.

Australia's renewable energy shift is reaching our shoreline. Whether these towering sea-based turbines become a familiar part of our horizon will be determined over the next decade.

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