Energy Source & Distribution gets to know Equinor Australia managing director Niny Borges, who still calls Australia home after years spent working abroad.
Niny, you recently moved back to Australia to take on the role country manager with the firm. Are you glad to be back, and what have been your first impressions in the role?
I am very excited to have returned home and being able to reconnect with old colleagues, family and friends. Australia has a fantastic outdoor lifestyle, and I am thrilled to give my family the opportunity to experience the Australian way of life. Since I last lived here in the late 1990s, Sydney has changed a lot, with an amazing restaurant and coffee culture, and plenty of activities at our fingertips to entertain a young family.
It’s been great to see Australia shifting to a stronger focus and commitment to renewables, specifically offshore wind. It’s fast paced, with six offshore areas due to be declared by the federal government by the end of the year. There is real ambition to push the renewables agenda, but it will be crucial to take in key learnings from each area in order to improve the process, as well as include learnings from other countries.
There is an opportunity for global energy companies like Equinor to lead the way in Australia, with our excellent track record in offshore wind projects. We are the operator of the world’s largest floating offshore wind project (Hywind Tampen) and bottom-fixed project (Dogger Bank)—and we can share learnings and experience from different markets such as the UK, Germany, US, and Poland.
Related article: Norway’s Equinor to help progress Bass Offshore Wind project
Australia’s offshore wind industry is in its formative stages. In your opinion, what needs to happen to progress projects at the speed required to help meet the country’s renewable energy targets?
There is strong support among Australians for a transition to renewables, but we are still in the early stages of the process when it comes to the offshore wind industry. This means more education is required on environmental impacts, construction timelines, jobs and upskilling opportunities, and supply chains.
Port development is a key aspect in the process, along with strong collaboration with local industry, government and communities. A fitting example is at the Port of Tyne in Newcastle, UK, where we have just completed construction of our operations and maintenance base. Additionally, effective consultation and dialogue with First Nations people to develop a clear understanding of the impact on their land and sea rights is critical.
Additionally, Equinor would welcome a dialogue on how to secure an energy market structure that enables a wide range of technologies to be deployed in Australia to support the energy transition, while minimising costs to consumers.
We’re looking to pursue projects of scale that can initiate a strong supply chain development, which is necessary to reduce costs and secure local job opportunities and create value.
For this transition to happen, it will be essential to ensure a route to market and access to grids with increased capacity. The pace of the transition will be based on the pace of transmission expansion, and projects at scale are crucial to reduce costs.
Tell us a bit about Equinor’s offshore wind partnerships and projects here in Australia:
Over the past 18 months, we’ve partnered with local developers Oceanex in New South Wales (NSW) and BOWE in Tasmania to secure local insight and presence, as well as to support local entities in developing a new industry in key regional areas.
We are currently pursuing projects with our partners. In NSW, our most advanced project is the Novocastrian Offshore Wind project in the Hunter region. The Hunter Offshore Wind Zone was declared last year, and we have submitted a feasibility licence application with Oceanex for a floating project of up to 2 GW. We anticipate a decision on this application in the middle of the year.
In Tasmania, we have partnered with Nexsphere to advance the BOWE project in the Bass Strait, aiming for a capacity of up to 1.5GW with bottom-fixed wind technology. We are currently awaiting the formal declaration of the Tasmania wind zone and will then evaluate the potential submission of a bid.
We are actively assessing other opportunities in Australia, but it is still too early to provide any specifics at this stage.
Australian governments along with the private sector are looking at developing a local supply chain to keep pace with our burgeoning offshore wind industry. How important is this for offshore wind developers?
Developing a local supply chain is a priority for us to ensure we can advance offshore wind projects in Australia. Offshore wind plays a pivotal role in fostering the growth of local supply chains, and we have seen the global success of the industry largely stemming from its ability to engage local suppliers, leverage existing skills, and distribute benefits across regions.
For the Novocastrian Offshore Wind project, we have conducted a detailed supply chain assessment on local, regional, and national levels. Our findings reveal significant opportunities for the supply chain, tapping into the existing capabilities in the region. However, it’s evident that given the industry is in its early stages in Australia, certain key deliverables for offshore wind projects still need to be developed. It’s encouraging to see the Australian government and the broader private sector prioritising the enhancement of local supply chain capabilities to support these projects.
Related article: Equinor and Nexsphere to explore offshore wind in Tasmania
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I love starting my days with an early morning training session, and I am enjoying the great beach life Sydney offers. Spending quality time with my two young and inquisitive children is a joy, especially as they learn to surf and explore the vibrant Australian wildlife.
As we settle into our new city, we’re establishing a routine and discovering the hidden gems of our neighbourhood.
I’m eager to immerse myself in the local cultural scene, and I am particularly looking forward to attending theatre performances and exhibitions.
I also enjoy gardening, but the hot weather [over summer] has made it a bit challenging to indulge in this hobby.
