The Australian Government has announced new feasibility licences for offshore wind projects in the Hunter and Southern Ocean offshore wind zones, despite Opposition Leader Peter Dutton pledging to revoke the latter if elected in May.
Novocastrian Offshore Wind Farm, proposed for the Hunter zone, and Spinifex Offshore Wind Farm, proposed for the Southern Ocean zone, have the potential to generate 3.2GW of clean, reliable energy—enough to meet the demands of over 2 million homes or over half of Victoria and New South Wales’ industrial energy demand.
There is further progress in the Gippsland zone with Australia’s most advanced offshore wind project, Star of the South, partnering with BlueScope to investigate the potential for steel plate made in the Illawarra to be used in boat landings and platforms for the turbine foundations.
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Gippsland licence holder Blue Mackerel North will also take the next steps to assess the commercial viability of their project after being awarded the first management plan.
The government also announced it had made a preliminary decision not to offer a licence to Seadragon in the Gippsland zone.
In the Illawarra zone, while one application has been received, the government has paused consideration of the feasibility licence at the applicant’s request until after the federal election.
The government is establishing industry committees for the Hunter and Southern Ocean zones to secure lasting economic and social benefits for local communities. Licence holders are also required to engage with fishing groups to ensure communities get their say about developments.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said, “The Albanese Government is securing Australia’s energy future with the offshore wind industry the former Coalition Government promised but failed to deliver.
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“We’re fixing the broken offshore wind plan left behind by the Coalition to ensure communities reap the full social and economic benefits of this burgeoning industry.
“Offshore wind has huge potential for jobs, new industry, and clean, reliable renewable energy in the regions which have powered Australia for generations. But establishing an industry will take time.
“Peter Dutton is cheering on job losses with his backflip on offshore wind in favour of expensive nuclear, ensuring the end of local manufacturing and industry in the communities that have powered Australia’s prosperity for generations.”
