The Australian government has moved forward on developing Western Australia’s offshore wind sector, offering three preliminary feasibility licences in the Bunbury Zone.
In the southern area of the zone, Westward Wind and Bunbury Offshore Wind South have resolved an overlap between their projects.
They join a third proposal, also owned by Bunbury Offshore Wind Farm, in the northern section of the zone that is now under consultation for a preliminary licence.
If approved, the three offshore wind projects could generate around 4 GW of capacity — enough to power approximately 2.7 million homes.
The projects are expected to deliver more than 2,500 construction jobs and 1,000 ongoing positions, from engineers and technicians to divers, project managers and administrators.
Traditional owners will be given time to consider the potential impacts before final licences are issued.
Meanwhile, Wind With Purpose is still responding to an initial ruling not to grant a licence for the Catalpa Offshore Wind Farm.
Nationally, offshore wind continues to gain momentum. To date, feasibility licences have been granted for projects targeting a combined 24.21 GW of renewable generation, with another 4 GW progressing through preliminary offers.
Alongside 12 projects underway on the east coast, the Bunbury developments signal Western Australia’s entry into the offshore wind market.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said offshore wind represented a cornerstone in meeting the nation’s future energy and employment needs.
“The Albanese government is securing Australia’s energy future with the offshore wind industry… and Western Australia is key to our plans,” Bowen said.
“In Bunbury, offshore wind has huge potential for jobs, new industry, and clean, reliable renewable energy in the regions which have powered Australia for generations.
“Western Australia needs some 50 GW of additional generation by 2042, and we’re getting to work making sure that we deliver the new clean energy, and the good jobs, the West needs.”
Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Josh Wilson said Bunbury’s location offered a significant opportunity.
“The remarkable wind resources located offshore from Bunbury present a huge new opportunity for this traditional power-generating region to continue its momentum as a clean energy powerhouse,” Wilson said.
Wilson said that the federal government is committed to providing Western Australians with reliable, clean, and affordable energy to power homes and industry while creating thousands of highly skilled and well-paid jobs.
