The Australian Government has made a preliminary decision on feasibility licences for offshore wind projects off the coast of Hunter, New South Wales.
Novocastrian Wind Pty Ltd has been shortlisted to move to the next stage of the feasibility licensing process.
If approved, the proposed project could:
- deliver 2 GW of renewable electricity
- power 1.2 million homes
- deliver around 3000 jobs during construction
- between 200 and 300 ongoing jobs
- provide more job opportunities with suppliers.
The Offshore Infrastructure Registrar received 8 feasibility licence applications across the 1,854km2 zone.
The final decision on feasibility licences in the Hunter is subject to the outcomes of the consultation processes with licence applicants and First Nations groups.
Offshore wind projects can’t be built yet.
The feasibility licence stage includes:
- consultation with First Nations groups
- consultation with stakeholders including the local community
- the preparation of environmental assessments and management plans.
Offshore wind offers a large scale, secure, reliable and clean energy source for our electricity network. This decision brings Australia’s offshore wind industry another step closer to reality.
