The new controversial Illawarra wind zone, just 20 kilometers off the Illawarra coastline has got the green light after fierce community set-back and protests.

Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen will declare in a press conference today, on a visit to the Illawarra. He is set to formally announce the scaled down Illawarra offshore wind zone today.

The zone will be smaller than the draft zone proposal, The zones initial plans proposed to start construction of the wind turbines 10 kilometers offshore, after consultation they will move to 20 kilometers offshore.

Quotes attributed to Minister Bowen said:

“Declaring this offshore wind zone bring the Illawarra a step closer to becoming a major provider of the building blocks of the net-zero transformation”

There has been fierce community set-back and consultation.

The project will create an estimated 1740 jobs during construction, and 870 ongoing jobs in the region.

Keep listening to 2NRS news this afternoon at 4:30PM and 5:30PM for updates with Lisa Kowalski.