Wind

'Business as usual' | Germany's Wpd unveils giga-scale Australia offshore wind plans

German developer announces JV with Australis Energy as deals by offshore arm continue in run-up to planned sell-off to Global Infrastructure Partners

Beach at Cape Leveque in North West Australia
Beach at Cape Leveque in North West AustraliaFoto: Tom Stoddart/Getty Images/Getty Images

German developer Wpd has entered a 50/50 joint venture with Australis Energy for three offshore wind projects with a joint capacity of 1.4GW in the coastal waters off the states of Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.

The projects have been pre-developed by Australis Energy, and Wpd is slated to assist in a new development phase that includes the completion of environmental studies and environmental impact assessments (ESIA), further data collection, landowner agreements, grid access deals, and planning, permitting and licensing for the projects.

"In this joint venture, Wpd can bring both outstanding expertise and many years of experience in the development, implementation and operation of offshore projects to the emerging Australian market," said Mirjam Tome, project development director of Wpd Australia.

"With the investment opportunity offered by Australis Energy to participate in the further development of their Australian offshore wind project portfolio, we have the chance to work with one of the first project developers to start systematically developing offshore wind projects in Australia."

The announcement comes after Wpd in early May said it is selling its offshore wind business to Wall Street investment group Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP). Wpd has developed about 7GW and has interests in a 30GW global pipeline.
The deal for Wpd Offshore is still subject to regulatory approvals, and Recharge understands that until that is reached and the transaction with GIP completed, the developer will continue its offshore operations as well as agreements for future options such as the one with Australis Energy in a ‘business as usual’ manner.

Australis Energy has experience with implementing projects in the UK and has established itself in Australia in recent years.

Australia has seen a flurry of announcements of early-stage activity since its parliament passed landmark legislation in November 2021.
Oceanex Energy, led by Australian offshore wind pioneer Andy Evans, is looking at floating projects off New South Wales, while the nation’s most advanced project, the 2.2GW Star of the South, is forging ahead off Victoria.
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Published 30 June 2022, 15:09Updated 30 June 2022, 16:22
Asia-PacificAustraliaWpdMarketsOffshore wind