The Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Bill 2021 establishes a regulatory framework for the industry in commonwealth waters. The bill will enable Australia to tap into the offshore wind potential offered by its coastline of over 25,000 kilometres.
The Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Bill being discussed in Australian Parliament. Credit: Star of the South website
The Australian Parliament has finally passed a bill to enable development and operation of offshore wind farms in the country. The Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Bill 2021 establishes a regulatory framework for the industry in commonwealth waters. In renewables, Australia already boasts of the world’s highest capacities in rooftop solar and an array of major projects to export green power to markets in Asia. The bill will enable Australia to tap into the offshore wind potential offered by its coastline of over 25,000 kilometres.
The bill has been passed at a time when Australia has received global criticism for its continued support to the fossil fuel industry. This has reflected in its unencouraging response to the climate emergency and the fact that it still derives most of its energy from coal. Australia’s status as a leader in rooftop solar comes not from the government but from households. Close to 1 in 3 Australian households have chosen to source their energy requirements by installing solar panels on the roofs of their homes, creating a massive network which contributes to almost 10% of the world’s fixed solar capacity.
Star of the South, a multibillion-dollar Australian firm responsible for its first offshore wind project welcomed the new bill. Casper Frost Thorhauge, CEO of Star of the South, said: “We welcome the passing of the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Bill… This bill is a major milestone in kick-starting a new industry, realizing Australia’s offshore wind potential and unlocking jobs and economic benefits.” Star of the South has planned the development of 2.2GW offshore wind in Australia by 2025.
Energy analysts said that although offshore wind’s biggest advantage is that it is not built on land, that argument is likely not very relevant for a country as large as Australia. However, offshore wind can be a more reliable source of renewable energy, providing grid security specially for solar networks.
More about offshore power transmission here: 2nd HVDC & Offshore Power Transmission 2022[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
