Renewable energy infrastructure
Paul MERCURIO (Hastings) (19:02): (322) In December last year the Andrews Labor government declared an area off the coast of Gippsland as an offshore wind power generation zone. In March this year the Andrews Labor government named the Port of Hastings as the location for the Victorian renewable energy terminal, which will be based in my electorate at the old Tyabb reclamation area. In the 2023–24 budget I am very happy to say there was $27.3 million allocated to my electorate for the Victorian renewable energy terminal. I direct my adjournment debate to the Minister for Climate Action, and the action I seek is to invite the minister down to Hastings to have a look at the site, meet with the Port of Hastings and hear from them what work is currently being undertaken to progress this initial stage of developing the capability to construct the wind turbines required for the offshore wind farms. If approved, the Victorian renewable energy terminal will be capable of supporting offshore wind delivery of up to 1 gigawatt per year, processing turbines up to 18 megawatts and servicing multiple offshore wind developments concurrently, placing Hastings at the centre of Australia’s offshore wind construction and deployment. This project has targets for 2 gigawatts of offshore generation capacity by 2032, 4 gigawatts by 2035 and 9 gigawatts of offshore wind energy generation capacity by 2040, which is a key requirement to help the state government achieve its commitment. This project will also deliver significant and positive economic benefits to local businesses, not to mention the jobs that will be created and available to the local community. I look forward to the minister’s visit and to providing an update to my community on how the Victorian renewable energy terminal is progressing.