The Hon Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Climate Change and Energy
The Hon Josh Wilson MP, Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Assistant Minister for Emergency Management
Australia's offshore wind industry has reached another milestone, with final feasibility licences offered to three projects that could deliver around 4 GW of renewable electricity into Western Australia's South West Interconnected System, supporting the region's long-term energy security and creating new clean energy opportunities over time.
Bunbury Offshore Wind has been offered feasibility licences for two projects in the Bunbury zone, and Westward Wind has also been offered a licence for a project in the same area. Acceptance of these offers will allow proponents to commence detailed investigations and consultation under the feasibility licence framework.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said Australia's emerging offshore wind industry would be a major source of clean energy and regional jobs for years to come.
"These licences are another important step towards up to 4 GW of cleaner energy for Western Australian communities and industries. Offshore wind is a key part of our plan to deliver cleaner, reliable energy and good jobs in WA's regions," Minister Bowen said.
"As well as providing reliable, renewable electricity throughout the day, offshore wind can keep generating into the evening, harnessing the consistent, high-speed winds of the Australian coastline.
"Generating cleaner and more reliable electricity in the evening reduces the amount of gas that Australia needs to keep the lights on.
"And harnessing our natural resources also means creating thousands of construction jobs and ongoing maintenance roles in local supply chains, ports and regional communities.
"This is why we are getting on with the job to build an offshore wind industry in Australia."
"We want to make the most of our abundant renewable resources to provide cheaper, cleaner energy for West Australian households and for critical industries that are decarbonising their operations." Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Josh Wilson said.
"Offshore wind provides reliable, large-scale generation at times of the day or night that complement onshore renewables, delivering a more consistent, cleaner energy supply for WA. In November, renewables provided a record 56 percent of generation to Western Australia's main electricity grid. Bunbury will add to that capacity and help fill the energy requirements we need, particularly as coal is retired in WA.
"The southwest has long been the engine room of WA's electricity supply. The provision of this offshore wind zone by the Albanese Government ensures that is maintained through the clean energy transition and will support the jobs and industry that go with it."
Minister Bowen has also opened applications for research and demonstration (R&D) licences that allow trials and testing of offshore renewable technology in Australian waters.
R&D licences will expand Australia's offshore industry from projects focused on electricity generation using current technology, to developing emerging technologies for future generation projects and building Australian expertise and innovation.
"Applications for R&D licences are now open for all of Australia's six offshore wind zones," Minister Bowen said.
"These licences will give certainty to domestic and international developers, universities and research cooperatives to pioneer new technological advances in Australian waters.
"This will keep Australia squarely in the race for more offshore wind opportunities. These R&D licences give clear signals to domestic and international investors that Australia wants to be home to the next technological advancement when it comes to offshore wind development."
At this time, the Government will not be granting feasibility licences for generation projects in the Illawarra as no application was able to be progressed to licence award. BlueFloat, a prospective proponent has withdrawn its application for a feasibility licence as it scales back its offshore wind operations around the world. A preliminary decision has been made to not to offer feasibility licences in the Bass Strait due to lack of competitive bids.
However, both zones provide opportunities to research and test different types of renewable energy technologies through R&D licences.
