New Equinor-Oceanex giant floating wind boost as Australia consults on latest zone

Equinor and partner Oceanex Energy moved a step closer to building a giant floating wind project off Australia as the government opened consultations over making the Illawarra its latest offshore wind zone.

Australian officials will consult until 16 October on creation of the zone off the state of New South Wales in an area of 1,461 sq km with the potential to host some 4.2GW of capacity.

Equinor in 2022 joined local player Oceanex to advance plans for the Illawarra floating project, part of a trio of gigascale wind projects the two are looking at in deep waters off New South Wales.

Andy Evans, CEO of Oceanex said: “This is a significant step towards accelerating and streamlining the development of a new offshore wind industry in Australia.”

“We need offshore wind projects in NSW and other jurisdictions to capitalise on the opportunities that come with the development of a new, large-scale industry and accomplish a rapid transition to net zero emissions.”

Equinor senior director for Australia offshore wind Thomas Hansen added: "The designation of another offshore wind zone in Australia within six months is a powerful demonstration of Australia’s ambitions in offshore wind and showcases the scale of ambitions needed to build an industry.”

News that Australia is moving ahead with plans to make Illawarra an offshore wind zone comes after the Hunter region off New South Wales, where the two are advancing their Novocastrian project, was named a designated development region, joining pioneering areas off the Victoria coast at the heart of the nation’s offshore wind plans.

As well as being home to Australia’s largest city Sydney, NSW is seen as ideal for large scale wind power development thanks to its strong industrial power demand and an economy transitioning away from coal, oil and gas.

Australian energy minister Chris Bowen said: “Offshore wind is energy rich and jobs rich but despite having some of the best wind resources in the world, Australia doesn’t currently have any offshore wind.

“This presents a huge economic opportunity for the regions that help power Australia, like the Illawarra, to continue to power our nation for generations to come.”