The north west of Tasmania is one of the best wind generation resources in the world. Several projects are currently being assessed in the Cradle Coast region.
Jim’s Plain is located on an undulating plateau about 23 kilometres west of Smithton. The site is dominated by coastal heath, but also has some pasture. Jim’s Plain Renewable Energy Park, a project involving wind energy generation with possible solar generation and battery storage, has been approved by the Council, State and Commonwealth Governments. Construction is planned to start in 2022. It could could produce up to 200 megawatts of wind energy and up to 40 megawatts of solar energy.
Nearby Robbins Island is a privately owned island off the north-west coast of Tasmania. The island is dominated by a mix of coastal heath and pasture. Robbins Island is one of the windiest places on earth with wind speeds averaging around 36 kilometers an hour.
Stage 1 of Robbins Island Renewable Energy Park of could generate up to 340 megawatts of wind energy, and together with Stage 2, the total capacity could be as high as 900 megawatts.
A bridge at the end of Robbins Island Road would connect to the southwest coast of Robbins Island. The bridge will be low in profile, but will rise up at the Robbins Island side of the Passage to allow boats of up to 5 metres in height to pass underneath at high tide.
Environmental conditions studied in Robbins Passage to design a bridge with the least impacts has included:
– Bird surveys
– Hydrodynamic modelling to ensure there would be no negative impact to water and sediment movement
– Habitat assessment of plants and animals
– Geotechnical studies
A 500-metre piled wharf would be built on the north-east of the island to take deliveries of turbine components and equipment. This would minimise impacts to local community areas and roads.
Studies of the environmental conditions of the area to design a wharf with the least impacts have included:
– Marine surveys
– Shorebird and habitat assessment
– Hydrodynamic modelling to ensure there would be no negative impact to water and sediment movement
– Geotechnical studies
Today and tomorrow, experts who prepared the assessments and applications for Robbins Island Renewable Energy Park will be available at community drop-in sessions at Agritas Trade College, 12 Nelson St, Smithton between 2:00 and 7:00pm.
You can find out more about the Jim’s Plain and Robbins Island projects here