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The Albanese Government has declared an offshore wind zone in the Pacific Ocean off the Illawarra coast in New South Wales, marking a significant step towards securing regional jobs and providing energy security for homes and businesses, including Australia’s largest steelworks.
Following extensive community consultations involving local leaders, industry, unions, First Nations people, community groups, and individuals, the Illawarra offshore wind zone has been revised. The updated zone, now 20 kilometers from the coast, excludes critical environmental areas such as the Biologically Important Area for the Little Penguin, the Shelf Rocky Reef Key Ecological Feature, and the Southern Right Whale migration and reproduction area. The final area for the zone is 1,022 km², a reduction of one-third from the initially proposed zone.
This declaration, the fourth of its kind in Australia, is set to unlock renewable energy jobs and ensure energy security while supporting onshore manufacturing powered by reliable renewable sources. The zone is expected to generate approximately 2.9 GW of electricity, enough to power 1.8 million homes.
The project is poised to create an estimated 1,740 new jobs during the construction phase and 870 ongoing jobs. These positions include roles for engineers, technicians, operators, riggers, seafarers, dockworkers, project managers, and administrators. Additionally, it will provide cleaner, cheaper energy to existing heavy industries, securing thousands of current industrial and associated jobs in the Illawarra and attracting new job-creating industries using clean energy.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen emphasized the significance of the Illawarra region in Australia’s transition to a clean energy future. “The Illawarra has been an engine room of the Australian economy for generations, and now it’s ready to power Australia’s clean energy future. Declaring this offshore wind zone brings the Illawarra a step closer to becoming a major provider of green power, green hydrogen, and green steel, along with thousands of new jobs,” Bowen said.
Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones highlighted the broader national benefits, stating, “We want Australia to be a global renewable energy superpower, and regions such as the Illawarra have an important role to play in our nation’s energy transformation. The declaration of this offshore wind zone represents our government’s commitment to supporting local jobs and delivering cheaper and more reliable energy for Illawarra businesses and households.”
Member for Cunningham Alison Byrnes expressed satisfaction with the amendments made to the zone. “I am pleased that the zone has been amended to reflect the suggestions that Stephen and I made to the Minister following our own discussions and consultations with the community. This is a sensible compromise that reflects the majority of community opinion while helping to achieve our shared goals of more renewable energy, more jobs, and fewer emissions,” Byrnes noted.
Feasibility licence applications for offshore wind projects in the Illawarra zone will open on Monday, June 17, and close on August 15, 2024. These licences will be awarded to developers whose projects support Australia’s workforce and energy security, protect the environment, and harmonize with other marine space uses such as shipping, tourism, and fishing. Construction will commence only after the feasibility stage is completed, and developers have secured necessary environmental and management plan approvals, demonstrating how their projects will benefit Australian industry and jobs.