Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen has announced Australia has joined the Global Offshore Wind Alliance, which aims for 380GW of offshore wind infrastructure to be built around the world by 2030, writes Greg King-Evans.
Speaking at the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Egypt this week, Minister Bowen said “Australia is back as a constructive, positive and willing climate collaborator” in an address to delegates.
The alliance is organised by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the nation of Denmark, and Australia joins nine other countries that signed up ahead of COP27: US, UK, Japan, Belgium, Colombia, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands and Norway.
The global initiative brings together governments, the private sector, international organisations and other stakeholders to accelerate the deployment of offshore wind power.
There is currently 60GW of offshore wind capacity around the world, and while Australia currently has no such projects, there are 50GW of projects under development to take advantage of the abundance of the natural wind resource in this part of the world.
“Australia is starting this industry from scratch, and we stand to benefit from combining efforts with the Global Offshore Wind Alliance to bolster the development of this industry and the employment opportunities it will bring,” said Minister Bowen at COP27.
“Countries around the world have taken advantage of the jobs and energy that offshore wind can provide. It’s time for Australia to do the same.
“Offshore wind offers exciting possibilities for Australia’s energy system and will play a pivotal role in our transition to a clean energy future and our ambition to become a renewable energy superpower.
“We remain committed to last year’s determination to hold the world as close as possible to 1.5 degrees of warming.”
The Clean Energy Council says Australia joining the Global Offshore Wind Alliance will deliver a significant boost to the nation’s offshore wind industry.
“Offshore wind energy has a huge role to play in Australia’s energy transition,” says Clean Energy Council director of energy generation and storage Dr Nicholas Aberle.
“Already we have more than 50GW of projects under development. With the stronger and steadier winds in the ocean, that kind of capacity can comfortably replace the generation from Australia’s coal fleet.
“A lot of work remains to be done in Australia to tap into the full potential of offshore wind. Port development, supply chains and workforce – these are just some of the challenges the industry faces, but Australia’s participation in the Global Offshore Wind Alliance will help bring lessons from other countries to our shores.
“The Federal Government will soon finalise the first offshore wind area in Australia, off the coast of Gippsland in Victoria.
“More area declarations are expected during the coming 12 months. This will allow project developers to apply for feasibility licences, which will kick-start Australia’s next important wave of offshore wind development.”
Countries joining the Global Offshore Wind Alliance have agreed to work together to drive national, regional and global wind ambitions and remove barriers to the deployment of offshore wind in new and existing markets.
IRENA and the International Energy Agency expect offshore wind capacity will need to exceed 2000GW by 2050 to limit the rise in global temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius and achieve net-zero emissions.
“Offshore wind represents a unique opportunity for countries to add huge volumes of new zero-carbon power generation, increase their climate ambition and ratchet up their NDCs [nationally determined contributions],” says IRENA director general Francesco la Camera.
“Offshore wind is more than competitive with fossil fuel generation and can also provide a massive boost to investment and job creation.”