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Released February 07, 2025 | GALWAY, IRELAND
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Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--A wide-ranging plan for the Port of Bell Bay in Tasmania has been revealed in the wake of a decision by Australia's federal government to develop a new offshore wind zone in the Bass Strait that will cater for up to 20 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy.
State-owned TasPorts (Launceston, Tasmania), which is responsible for 11 Tasmanian ports and the local airport, wants to develop the Bass Strait Renewable Energy Terminal at Bell Bay to capitalize on the expected surge in windfarm activity in nearby Bass Strait, located north of the island state of Tasmania. It is proposing the staged development of up to 25 hectares of additional land to support bespoke infrastructure, large-scale laydown and storage for offshore wind equipment and components, and berthing facilities.
"The Port of Bell Bay's proximity to Bass Strait renewable energy zones provides a significant strategic advantage," said TasPorts Chief Executive Anthony Donald. "By unlocking this potential, we aim to deliver the infrastructure needed to attract investment and boost renewable energy generation for Tasmania and the nation. The Bass Strait Renewable Energy Terminal has the potential to deliver enormous benefits--locally, regionally, and nationally--by supporting offshore wind developments that will drive significant renewable energy generation."
In December, the federal government designated an area spanning 7,100 square kilometers (km2) around 30 kilometers north of Tasmania. It is the sixth offshore zone in the country and with the capacity to support 20 GW, it could supply more than half of the current electricity demand across southeast Australia while supporting 12,000 jobs in construction and another 6,000 more permanent roles. Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said: "Tasmania is already an energy powerhouse--running on 100% renewables--but the power of offshore wind could see the state produce and export even more clean and reliable energy. The Bass Strait has truly world-class wind resources, with sustained wind speeds of more than 8 metres per second. Harnessing this power and capitalising on Tasmania's highly skilled workforce with decades of experience in engineering, logistics and infrastructure can provide energy security for Australian homes and businesses, future proof existing industry and power new green energy industries."
TasPorts had been banking on a surge in green hydrogen to redevelop Bell Baym, but last August, Woodside Energy Group (Perth, Australia) withdrew its planned H2Tas ammonia and hydrogen project from the government approval process, citing the lack of new renewable energy generation and the need to satisfy stricter marine environmental targets. It has not ruled out resubmitting in the future. Its 300-megawatt (MW) electrolyser would be capable of producing 107 tonnes of hydrogen per day, with potential exports of 600 tonnes of ammonia daily. In the past month, TasPorts has inked a deal with Countrywide Hydrogen (Melbourne, Australia) to develop a smaller 10-MW green hydrogen project on a 1-hectare site to provide hydrogen for local industry and transport. The Tasmanian government is still pushing forward with its Bell Bay Hydrogen Hub plans, opening the process for registration of interest in December, with AUS$81 million (US$50 million) in financial support in place.
Industrial Info is also tracking the 224-MW Bell Bay windfarm and associated 100-MW Bell Bay battery energy storage system (BESS) projects by Equis Development (Melbourne, Australia), which were granted major project status to be fast-tracked by the Tasmanian government last August. Construction is slated to start in 2027 with production in 2028-29.
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking over 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 Trillion (USD).
State-owned TasPorts (Launceston, Tasmania), which is responsible for 11 Tasmanian ports and the local airport, wants to develop the Bass Strait Renewable Energy Terminal at Bell Bay to capitalize on the expected surge in windfarm activity in nearby Bass Strait, located north of the island state of Tasmania. It is proposing the staged development of up to 25 hectares of additional land to support bespoke infrastructure, large-scale laydown and storage for offshore wind equipment and components, and berthing facilities.
"The Port of Bell Bay's proximity to Bass Strait renewable energy zones provides a significant strategic advantage," said TasPorts Chief Executive Anthony Donald. "By unlocking this potential, we aim to deliver the infrastructure needed to attract investment and boost renewable energy generation for Tasmania and the nation. The Bass Strait Renewable Energy Terminal has the potential to deliver enormous benefits--locally, regionally, and nationally--by supporting offshore wind developments that will drive significant renewable energy generation."
In December, the federal government designated an area spanning 7,100 square kilometers (km2) around 30 kilometers north of Tasmania. It is the sixth offshore zone in the country and with the capacity to support 20 GW, it could supply more than half of the current electricity demand across southeast Australia while supporting 12,000 jobs in construction and another 6,000 more permanent roles. Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said: "Tasmania is already an energy powerhouse--running on 100% renewables--but the power of offshore wind could see the state produce and export even more clean and reliable energy. The Bass Strait has truly world-class wind resources, with sustained wind speeds of more than 8 metres per second. Harnessing this power and capitalising on Tasmania's highly skilled workforce with decades of experience in engineering, logistics and infrastructure can provide energy security for Australian homes and businesses, future proof existing industry and power new green energy industries."
TasPorts had been banking on a surge in green hydrogen to redevelop Bell Baym, but last August, Woodside Energy Group (Perth, Australia) withdrew its planned H2Tas ammonia and hydrogen project from the government approval process, citing the lack of new renewable energy generation and the need to satisfy stricter marine environmental targets. It has not ruled out resubmitting in the future. Its 300-megawatt (MW) electrolyser would be capable of producing 107 tonnes of hydrogen per day, with potential exports of 600 tonnes of ammonia daily. In the past month, TasPorts has inked a deal with Countrywide Hydrogen (Melbourne, Australia) to develop a smaller 10-MW green hydrogen project on a 1-hectare site to provide hydrogen for local industry and transport. The Tasmanian government is still pushing forward with its Bell Bay Hydrogen Hub plans, opening the process for registration of interest in December, with AUS$81 million (US$50 million) in financial support in place.
Industrial Info is also tracking the 224-MW Bell Bay windfarm and associated 100-MW Bell Bay battery energy storage system (BESS) projects by Equis Development (Melbourne, Australia), which were granted major project status to be fast-tracked by the Tasmanian government last August. Construction is slated to start in 2027 with production in 2028-29.
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking over 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 Trillion (USD).
