With the launch of a 6th development site, Australia is signaling to developers and the supply-chain its commitment to growing the offshore wind sector in the country
Australian authorities have opened consultation rounds for a new proposed site for offshore wind projects, located off the coast of Bunbury in western Australia. The site has the potential for up to 20 GW of capacity, making it the second-largest offshore wind site in the country.
The site is the first offshore wind development area on the west coast, and several developers have already proposed projects close to the site, including Copenhagen Energy and Oceanex.
The Australian government has been aggressive in the push for offshore wind in the last years, proposing areas with the combined potential to host up to 81.8 GW of capacity. Two areas have already hosted application rounds, Gippsland Victoria, and Hunter Coast. The results for the Gippsland area round are expected in February/March and will award the first offshore wind feasibility licenses.
The consultation round for the new Bunbury site will run from 20 February to 3 May 2024.
Image credit: Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
