Source - reNews - Australia awards offshore wind licences

Orsted, RWE, BlueFloat Energy, Corio Generation, and a joint venture between RES and Origin have received feasibility licences from the Australian government to explore the development of offshore wind farms.

In May 2024, Orsted announced the acquisition of two licences, with the second still pending consultation. By July 17, final confirmation for the second licence was granted, securing Orsted's exclusive rights to develop two offshore wind sites. These licences position Orsted to participate in upcoming auctions, the first of which is anticipated in late 2025.

RWE's offshore wind project is situated near the Kent Group islands in the Bass Strait, off the Gippsland coast in Victoria. This area, Australia’s inaugural designated offshore wind zone, has the potential to generate up to 2GW. The licence grants RWE a seven-year exclusive right to develop the Kent Offshore Wind Farm. This approval also allows RWE to seek a commercial licence to construct and operate the wind farm for up to 40 years. Located approximately 67 kilometers offshore, in waters averaging 59 meters deep, the wind farm is expected to become operational in the early 2030s, pending planning approvals, grid connection, and secured offtake agreements.

Sven Utermöhlen, CEO of RWE Offshore Wind, emphasized the attractiveness of Australia’s renewable energy market, noting RWE’s decade-long presence in the country. He highlighted that securing seabed rights in the Bass Strait represents RWE's entry into the Australian offshore wind sector, aligning with their broader strategy to expand their renewable energy portfolio in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. The next phase for RWE involves conducting studies to inform the project’s design and submitting planning applications.

Meanwhile, BlueFloat Energy has also been awarded a feasibility licence for its Gippsland Dawn Offshore Wind Project, positioning the project for potential operation by 2031. Located between Paradise Beach and Ocean Grange, the site has the capacity to generate up to 2.1GW, which could power over a million homes. The project is expected to create 2,000 construction jobs and 200-300 operational jobs, contributing to long-term supply chain development. With a planned operational life of up to 30 years, Gippsland Dawn’s project director, Darragh White, expressed the project's commitment to delivering lasting benefits to the Gippsland region and engaging with local stakeholders throughout its development. Progression to the construction phase will require a commercial licence and various environmental and planning approvals.

Corio Generation also secured a feasibility licence for its 2.5GW Great Eastern Offshore Wind project, located in the Gippsland offshore wind zone. Situated roughly 22 kilometers off the central Gippsland coast, this fixed-bottom wind project aims to advance Australia’s offshore wind industry and support national carbon reduction efforts. The project recently completed 17 months of a 24-month marine environmental baseline survey, marking significant progress towards its expected operational date in 2032. Once operational, the project will have a lifespan of over 30 years.

The Navigator North project, a joint venture between Australian energy company Origin and RES, also received a feasibility licence. Located 34 kilometers offshore, the project covers 700 square kilometers and has the potential to deliver 1.5GW of installed capacity to the National Electricity Market (NEM). It is anticipated to create 1,400 jobs during the design and construction phase, with an additional 60 jobs during its 30-year operational life. Greg Jarvis, head of energy supply and operations at Origin, expressed satisfaction with the licence award, citing it as a testament to the strengths of the joint venture and the commitments outlined in their application.

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Source - reNews