The consortium formed by BlueFloat Energy, Energy Estate and Elemental Group in 2021 is to build an offshore wind farm 22 kilometres off the coast of South Taranaki, New Zealand.
The proposed project is the first of four offshore wind projects planned by the consortium in Aotearoa with the potential to add up to 5GW of new clean energy generation.
The South Taranaki project is designed to use fixed bottom technology and will be located to the west of Beach Energy’s Kupe platform in the South Taranaki Bight.
The proposed site was identified as offering huge potential in the Offshore Wind Discussion Paper published by Venture Taranakiin April 2020, due to the site’s unique characteristics and favourable environmental conditions.
That study identified an area large enough for several offshore wind farms to be built by different developers that would be compatible with each other and help accelerate the transition to clean energy.
Partnerships director for the JV Justine Gilliland agued that offshore wind can deliver green energy at scale for Aotearoa for New Zealand’s medium and long-term future but needs to be done in a way that protects diversity and promotes restoration and regeneration of the marine environment.
She said: “Offshore Wind will be an important part of the future energy mix in Aotearoa and will help the country meet its net zero targets.
“South Taranaki is an obvious choice as it has a best-in-class wind resource and a skilled local workforce with decades of experience working offshore.
“We are committed to developing the industry sustainably and are already engaging with environmental and local experts tounderstand how we can mitigate potential risks to marine mammals, seabirds and the coastal environment.”