Australia now offers three new offshore wind licenses
The government announced on Friday that Australia had offered offshore wind licenses for projects off the coast of Western Australia's southern coast. These projects could bring 4 gigawatts (GW) of clean energy to the state's isolated power system.
The offer comes after several other offshore wind project on the east coast Australia have been pulled in the last 18 months, slowing down the sector's progress.
The state has extended the subsidy for a coal mine by five more years, citing energy security.
Bunbury Offshore Wind was awarded two final feasibility?licenses, with the backing of EDF (the French government-owned energy company), and another?to Westward Wind backed by Spain’s EDP Renewables, and France’s Engie. These licenses are a step towards?offshore development.
Chris Bowen, Minister of Energy and Climate Change, said that offshore wind can continue to generate electricity into the evening by harnessing the high-speed, consistent winds along the Australian coast.
Australia's 2030 target is to have 82% of its electricity come from renewable resources. It also has a plan for reducing emissions by 43% compared to 2005 levels by that year. Data from the government suggests that the first goal is not being met, but the second one is very close.
The Minister also opened the application process for research and demonstration licences, which will allow proponents to test?and trial new offshore technology.
AGL Energy, along with its partners, walked away in early December from the 2.6 gigawatt Gippsland Skyes offshore Victoria in southeast Australia. This was the latest in a series of exits by developers after costs and challenges were greater than anticipated.
Origin Energy, its competitor in Australia, also put on hold its own offshore project in 2025. This week it announced an extension of two years to the life expectancy of its largest coal-fired power plant in Australia Eraring. (Reporting and editing by Neil Fullick: Helen Clark)
(source: Reuters)
