European oil major Shell is considering an expansion of its wind power business in Australia as it eyes options offshore and diversifies from fossil fuels.
According to Bloomberg, the London-based company has ramped up investments in wind projects in the past year as it seeks to move into clean energy.
Related article: Copenhagen Energy reveals second offshore wind project
Shell made its first wind investment in Australia earlier this year when it purchased a 49 per cent stake in developer WestWind Energy Development, which has projects in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.
“Shell is investigating opportunities to transform our Australian portfolio, with offshore wind opportunities being of interest,” a spokesperson said.
Related article: Government announces six proposed offshore wind regions
Australia is looking to accelerate the development of offshore wind, having announced a number of possible offshore wind zones.
Shell isn’t the only European oil and gas giant aiming to expand in Australia. In June, BP said it would take the lead in the $36 billion Asian Renewable Energy Hub, a project that aims to install 26GW of solar and wind farms over a vast 6,500-square-kilometre stretch of Western Australia’s Pilbara region.
