Govt launches WA wind zone consultation in renewables push
Make us a preferred source
Make us a preferred source on Google
The news: The Federal Government has launched a consultation on the proposed Bunbury offshore wind zone off the coast of Western Australia, in a push for new renewable energy opportunities.
The numbers: The government is seeking feedback on the proposed area, which covers 7,674 square kilometres and sits 20km from shore at its closest point off Cape Naturaliste and Bunbury.
The Bunbury zone has been proposed as a prime location for offshore electricity generation because of the high speed winds in the Indian Ocean that could enable up to 20GW of offshore wind to be developed.
The context: The government said that as well as the energy generation benefits, new offshore wind projects could provide highly skilled and well-paid jobs such as engineers, electrical technicians, cable installers, boilermakers, crane operators, riggers, divers, seafarers, dockworkers and administrators.
Submissions on the proposed area are open from today until 3 May, 2024. Offshore wind projects in the Bunbury zone can only start construction once it becomes a legally declared area, is awarded a feasibility licence and commercial licence, and receives environmental approval.
What they said: Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said: “Offshore wind will be a critical new clean energy industry for Western Australians as electricity demand increases, helping to provide thousands of jobs along the way.”
“The Albanese Government is committed to genuine consultation on offshore wind — that’s why we want communities, industry and businesses to have their say on an offshore wind area off WA from the very beginning."
Flotation Energy — which has been developing offshore wind projects in WA since 2019 — said it welcomed the consultation. The company's executive director Carolyn Sanders said: “Western Australia is in the enviable position of having the potential to lead the development of the offshore wind supply chain in Australia through its ports and manufacturing capabilities".
“An offshore wind industry in Western Australia can significantly support energy intensive industries close to the desired points of connection, including hydrogen production facilities, lithium hydroxide plants, green steel manufacturing and seawater desalination plants," she said.
The sources: Minister Bowen media release, Flotation Energy media release
