The NSW Hunter region has been announced as Australia’s second offshore wind zone, maximising the nation’s abundance of wind to produce renewable energy, writes EcoGeneration editor Gavin Dennett.
Australia’s offshore wind industry is fast-tracking the future with the Federal Government unveiling an official wind zone off the coast of the NSW Hunter region.
Following the 2022 announcement of Australia’s first offshore wind zone in waters off southeast Victoria’s Gippsland region, this latest development cements the government’s commitment to maximising the nation’s abundance of natural wind to produce clean energy.
The Hunter region is one of Australia’s heavy industrial heartlands. Combined with its offshore region in the Tasman Sea featuring strong, consistent winds, it is an ideal location for turbines to produce large volumes of renewable energy while supporting future onshore manufacturing.
The declared offshore wind zone covers 1800 square kilometres between Swansea and Port Stephens. It is positioned 20km from the coast in the north and 35km from the coast in the south. Its potential energy generation is 5GW, enough to power local industries and an estimated 4.2 million homes.
“The Hunter is undergoing significant economic change, and the prospect of creating new job opportunities for decades to come through a new offshore wind industry is a game changer,” says Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen.
“This declaration opens the door for a new industry in the region, which could create more than 3000 construction jobs and another 1560 ongoing jobs.”
The Climate Council endorses the rubber stamping of the Hunter offshore wind zone, which brings Australia a step closer to being a renewable energy superpower.
“Offshore wind will be a key pillar of Australia’s future renewable energy mix,” says Dr Madeline Taylor, Climate Councillor and senior lecturer at Macquarie University’s School of Law.
“The Hunter offshore wind zone will fill another piece in the puzzle in decarbonising Australia’s energy system as we continue switching away from carbon-intensive fuels.
“As one of the windiest places on earth, Australia should be cashing in on those solutions and creating a prosperous and sustainable future.
“Australia holds the potential to generate up to 5000GW electricity from offshore wind using a combination of fixed and floating infrastructure.
“It is endowed with some of the richest and most diverse renewable energy resources. The right investment and planning in offshore wind is Australia’s golden ticket to a clean energy future.”
Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie says wind power is an essential ingredient in Australia’s renewable energy mix.
“We have a huge opportunity to seize our potential and get more renewables such as offshore wind online as we work to dramatically slash our emissions this decade,” she says. “Wind energy is one of the cheapest ways to add new electricity supply in Australia, especially as power prices continue to bite.
“Ramping up the renewables rollout will bring us closer to lower power bills and less harmful carbon pollution. We must maintain this momentum if Australia is to become a renewable energy superpower.”
The parameters of the Hunter offshore wind zone were established following two months of public consultation with local communities, local industry and sea users. The area is smaller than the original proposed zone, with stakeholder feedback resulting in amendments to enable safe management of shipping and other sea industries.
Offshore infrastructure will be limited to a height of 260 metres to ensure aviation safety.
“The Albanese Government has listened to community feedback and revised the offshore wind zone to ensure it coexists with whale migration, bird and sea life, and our shipping industry,” says Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon.
“This is an important part of a suite of measures which will position Newcastle and the Hunter as a clean energy hub, including a $100 million investment to ensure hydrogen readiness at Port of Newcastle.”
Leading Australian energy developer Oceanex and international energy company Equinor welcome the news of Australia’s second offshore wind zone.
“We’ve seen firsthand the incredible transformation the Hunter economy is undergoing with the need to rapidly decarbonise local industry,” says Oceanex CEO Andy Evans.
“This announcement is an unprecedented opportunity for the Hunter to benefit from an innovative new industry that will grow rapidly to be a cornerstone of the Australian energy market.
“Developing a multibillion-dollar clean energy industry here will spearhead the Hunter’s economic transformation and ensure its skilled workforce and industrial capacity continues to deliver prosperity well into the 21st century.”
Oceanex first announced plans to develop its Novocastrian Offshore Wind Farm off the Hunter coast in 2020. Two years later the company partnered with Equinor to bring the project to life once the offshore wind zone was green lit from the Federal Government.
The project will utilise modern floating wind generation technology and will be located more than 20km offshore to access strong and consistent winds.