THE backer of an ambitious proposal to fully supply the Portland Aluminium smelter with electricity from offshore wind turbines is keen for the community to make its feelings known about the project.

Alinta Energy on Tuesday revealed that it was in the early stages of planning for a 1000MW wind farm off the coast of Portland.

The actual location and makeup of the Spinifex Offshore Wind Farm – which is likely to coast $4 billion to build – is still to be decided but Alinta is looking at a 500 square km area in Commonwealth waters about 10km off the coast.

 It would supply the generated power directly to the smelter – which uses 500MW, or about 10 per cent of Victoria’s power – with any excess to go into the electricity grid.

Should the project go ahead – Alinta says it will take between 5-10 years to build – it could make the smelter a rarity in being among the few in the world to be fully supplied by renewable energy.

Alinta project development head Kris Lynch said the project needed to be 1000MW to be viable and was the result of the company scouring the east coast for suitable sites for renewable energy projects.

“We think that the wind resource here is really well sited,” he told the Observer.

Alinta was also keen to kick off community engagement with those who might be affected by the project.

“We’re aware that this is a busy fishing area and an important marine environment used for a number of activities,” he said.

“We’re definitely keen to hear from the local fishing community. More broadly it’s a project we think (is going to be ) of great interest.

“We’ll talk to a number of relevant stakeholders… however once we’re up and running in 2022 we’ll be rolling out our actual engagement (program).”

While the project would be in Commonwealth waters – the turbines would be fixed to the seabed at a depth of about 50-60m – the cables delivering the power to land would have to pass through state waters meaning approval would be needed from both sets of authorities, Mr Lynch said.

Marine conservation issues would also need to be considered when deciding on a final site.

“We don’t know all the answers to that at the moment,” Mr Lynch said.

Monitoring equipment was being set up at the smelter’s switchyard – this would be used to confirm the wind potential of the area.

“If we can confirm that the wind resource in this area is as we think it is… we’re going to get a really important project here,” Mr Lynch said.

“We thought the Portland area had an excellent wind resource – one of the biggest benefits is the grid connection would be directly into the smelter.”

It was too early to say whether local contractors such as wind tower manufacturer Keppel Prince Engineering would be used on the project however it was “going to create opportunities for many different companies” and Alinta was keen for local suppliers and others “to come and join us on the project”, Mr Lynch said.

Smelter manager Ron Jorgensen said Alcoa’s role was to provide that support to Alinta as it began its investigations.

“(The) project is just one of a number of renewable projects that are occurring across Australia and Victoria,” he told the Observer.

“We are also in discussions with other proposals for the smelter as well.”

Alinta’s proposal was another vote of confidence in the long-term future of the smelter, coming after the signing of the latest power agreement earlier this year.

Given the project’s timeline it will not supply power to the smelter under after the current deal (which lasts to 2026).

Mr Jorgensen reiterated Alcoa’s commitment to powering more of its smelters with renewable energy – Portland is currently supplied by about 25 per cent from such sources, including the wind farm next to the smelter.

“In doing so it has the potential to further improve the long-term sustainability of the asset,” he said.

“It’s early stages yet but it (the offshore wind farm) would be very, very good because it supports Alcoa’s direction to decarbonise.

“It’s the direction the world’s heading in. We can’t continue to survive on fossil fuels, particularly an industry like ours.

“All these things bode well. Alcoa believes Portland is a great asset, a strong asset, it has a sustainable future.””

For more information on the project visit www.spinifexoffshore.com.au