Illawarra residents are questioning the efficiency and environmental impacts of an estimated $10 billion dollar wind farm project, off Wollongong beaches.
Independent candidate for Wollongong Council Suzanne de Vive said solar panels are a faster and more effective solution to power the community, than the offshore wind farms.
“Australia is the sunniest continent on earth,” Ms de Vive said.
“Why push offshore wind farms when rooftop solar can be deployed faster, at lower costs, and without risking our marine ecosystems?
“If Australia’s major highways had solar-covered cycleways, they could generate approximately 25 TWh of electricity annually, enough to power 5 million households.”
Oceanex Energy CEO and Women of Offshore Wind director Emily Scivetti said offshore wind farms are an optimal and sustainable solution to power New South Wales’ future energy.
“Everyone is looking to decarbonise our heavy industry and move towards renewable or nuclear energy to power the way of life,” Ms Scivetti said.
“Offshore wind can provide bulk base-load renewable energy at the times that the grids need it most.”
According to Oceanx, the average household in NSW could source a day’s worth of energy from an offshore wind turbine’s single rotation.
However, it could take up to seven years for the project can take its first steps of production.
“It’s not until the project components have a feasibility license that they can start conducting years of environmental surveys and consultation to basically determine whether a project is viable,” Ms Scivetti said.
The debate around how to best generate sustainable energy, not just for NSW but Australia, is set to continue alongside Australia’s warming climate.
