Australian Government Grants Feasibility License to Equinor and Oceanex for Hunter Offshore Wind Project
June 22, 2024 –The Australian government has awarded a feasibility license for the Hunter offshore wind zone project, promising to enhance regional energy security and job creation. Equinor and Oceanex have been preliminarily offered a feasibility licence for the Novocastrian Wind Pty Ltd project, which stood out among other applications. This project could employ around 3,000 workers during construction and create 200-300 permanent local jobs, injecting hundreds of millions of dollars into the Hunter region.
The proposed offshore wind project could generate over 2 GW of electricity, enough to power 1.2 million homes or two Tomago smelters. This development is expected to support local industries and leverage existing infrastructure, providing reliable renewable energy to power homes and heavy industries.
Ongoing consultation with First Nations groups, communities, unions, and marine users will ensure the project benefits local stakeholders while protecting the environment. Recreational fishers will be allowed to travel and fish within the offshore wind zone, similar to practices in the UK and Denmark.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, emphasized the project’s potential to support the Hunter’s workforce and energy security. Sharon Claydon, Member for Newcastle, highlighted Newcastle’s readiness to lead in renewable energy due to its world-class infrastructure and skilled workforce.
