Australia's latest offshore wind zone slashed – but still boasts 11GW potential

Australia has cut its proposals for a giant offshore wind zone in the Indian Ocean as concerns about unsightly views and impacts on marine life force the federal government to tread carefully over its plans to achieve a massive scaling up of clean energy.

The area available for wind development has been restricted to at least 30km from shore at its closest point, increasing the originally proposed 20km from shore.

In a statement on Monday, the federal government said the zone still has the potential to support 11.4GW of generation capacity for a South West region where the Interconnected System needs an estimated 50GW of additional generation by 2042.

Cited as reasons for decreasing the area were “more than 60% of the recreational fishing areas requested for exclusion” and “further separation from breeding areas and migratory paths for Southern Right Whales”.

According to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), some 2,670 submissions were received during a consultation period which ran between February and May.

This new offshore wind zone will be open for the submission of feasibility licences from 3 September to 6 November, 2024, after which developers can potentially move to the environmental permitting and commercial licence applications, looking ahead to construction.

Illawarra ire

Illawarra was restricted to a distance of 20km from the shore and capacity was reduced to 2.9GW. However, opposition to a zone located about 40kn south of Sydney’s closest beach suburbs, has continued to simmer.

Opponents from groups such as one called Responsible Future warn of a host of supposed future ills — including warnings about turbines blades washing up on beaches — amid claims that a majority of affected communities oppose the plans.

Illawarra is one of six priority areas for offshore wind development in Australian Commonwealth waters chosen by the country's current Labor administration. It is said to boast strong, consistent winds and offers high regional demand, including from Port Kembla steelworks and the planned retirement of coal-fired power stations.

The Bunbury offshore region was chosen for similar reasons.

By declaring the new zone, minister for climate change & energy Chris Bowen stated that he was identifying areas where more environmental assessments and research are needed to inform future development decisions.

The declaration stressed that consultation on potential offshore wind developments “will occur at multiple stages in the regulatory process”.

As well as providing reliable renewable energy, Bowen said that offshore wind projects will be required to maximise use of Australian supply chains and to closely consult with local industry and workers on project plans.

He said he expects recreational fishers will be able to travel and fish within the offshore wind zone, as occurs in the United Kingdom and Denmark.

“Today marks a crucial step towards creating thousands of regional jobs and securing WA’s energy needs well into the future,” Bowen said.

“With an estimated 50GW of new generation required by 2042, Western Australia needs new sources of electricity to power homes and industry... Offshore wind can help meet that demand.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese led Australia's Labor Party to victory in 2022 on a promise to turn the country into a "renewables superpower".