A number of companies are looking at the possibility of establishing offshore wind energy farms in Western Australia.
At least one is investigating the potential for a billion-dollar development off the coast north of Bunbury, and another is investigating the feasibility of a wind farm in the waters around Geraldton.
The offshore wind industry is well developed in Europe, but is very much in its infancy in Australia. There are currently no operational offshore wind farms here, although the 2000MW Star of the South project is well underway in Commonwealth waters off Victoria’s Gippsland coast.
Offshore wind farms are similar to those found onshore but, being out at sea allows for much bigger turbines that capture a more powerful energy source than on land. WA Offshore Windfarm Pty Ltd for has applied for environmental approval to build and operate a wind farm about five kilometres off the coast between Preston beach and Myalup in WA’s south-west.
If approved, it would have 37 turbines with rotor diameter of 220 metres and maximum hub height of 154 metres.
While the power generated would be welcome, there are downsides. Among the key environmental risks identified in the application were that the turbines would change the existing seascape of Myalup, where there are ‘untouched ocean views’, and its local role as ‘a recreational and tourism node’.
Certainly, offshore wind farms can have had a significant visual impact elsewhere. For example, beachgoers in the UK holiday town of Skegness are ‘confronted’ by a vista of wind turbines as they look out to sea.
Nonetheless, a previous UK survey found that 52% disagreed with the statement that wind farms are ‘ugly and a blot on the landscape’, while 59% agreed that wind farms were ‘necessary’ and that how they looked was unimportant.
For hundreds of years the World has traveled to The Netherlands to view the beautiful “Dutch Windmills” – In time, the majestic windmills of Bunbury and Geraldton will be an attraction in West Australia.
Surely Possum, you say this in jest.
Whilst I personally find them a blight on the horizon, We have dozens of them down in Bannaby NSW (Near Taralga) and often I hear people saying aren’t they beautiful, and I think people are actually stopping in Taralga just to look at them, set into the rolling green hills.
I believe we are being sold a pack of lies by vested interests, regarding the whole package, efficiency, cost effectiveness and the residual pollution problems from their manufacture and end of life disposal. Whilst ever the “Green Lobby” are influencing the younger generation we are doomed.
The whole concept is disgusting environmentally. They will at the end of their operational life pollute the ocean. By then the next generation will be doing the cleaning up.
Yes, let’s build more coal fired power stations and while we’re at it chuck in a couple of nuclear ones as well.
Yep, nuclear is the way to go. Clean , efficient, cost affective and safe. However, good to see the electors in the Hunter area sent a clear message recently on how they feel about coal mining. Well done people. Not good for the poor old Greenies but. How sad for them.
Steve, totally agree with the Nuclear option. We should have been there 2 decades ago. Let’s face facts, wind & sun is never going to provide the power required in Australia.
Oh dear. Satire doesn’t seem to work here
Ha Ha Steve…I think I knew what you meant..!
I suppose it was the way you worded it..
The english language has to be comprehensevly written or it will be taken out of context..
But I enjoyed a bit of a laugh..
Cheers.
Cheers Pat
Nuclear, cheap and efficient.
Just who are being fooled..
Take a deep look at the set up cost’s.
Grass is always greener in that one doesn’t have.
So, did you here about the one they’re planning right behind this one?
This one is 37 Turbines the one right behind it will be 200 turbines right in the whale migration path and will stretch from Mandurah to Bunbury.