The Australian Government has declared Australia’s sixth offshore wind zone in the Indian Ocean off Bunbury, Western Australia (WA) between Cape Naturaliste and Dawesville.
The declared area has the potential to generate up to 11.4GW of renewable wind energy.
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After consultation with the community, First Nations groups, government and local industry, Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen declared an area that is approximately half the size of the zone originally proposed.
Amendments to the original zone included:
- removing more than 60% of area requested by recreational fishers, including Naturaliste Reef
- is further offshore to minimise visual impact (30km minimum)
- allows space for the safe management of shipping
- is a greater distance from Southern Right Whale migration and breeding areas.
Related article: Unis launch Australian Centre for Offshore Wind Energy
The government will now examine feasibility licences for offshore wind projects.
Australia’s other offshore wind zones include Gippsland, Bass Strait, Southern Ocean, Hunter and Illawarra.
