RWE has been awarded a feasibility license by the Australian government to develop an offshore wind farm near the Kent Group islands in the Bass Strait, off the Gippsland coast in Victoria.
This region holds the distinction of being Australia’s inaugural designated offshore wind zone.
Exclusive Seabed Rights and Long-Term Operation
This license grants RWE, a major global player in renewable energy, exclusive rights to the seabed for seven years, enabling the development of the Kent Offshore Wind Farm project.
Additionally, the approval allows RWE to apply for a commercial license to construct and operate the wind farm for a period of up to 40 years.
Massive Green Energy Potential
The designated lease area has the potential to accommodate a wind farm with a maximum capacity of 2 GW, capable of supplying clean electricity to up to 1.6 million Australian homes. The site is located approximately 67 km off the coast and boasts average water depths of 59 meters.
The wind farm is anticipated to commence operations in the early 2030s, contingent upon the timeline of planning and approvals, securing offtake agreements, and establishing grid connection.
Expanding RWE’s Renewable Portfolio in Australia
Sven Utermöhlen, CEO of RWE Offshore Wind, emphasized, “Australia presents a highly attractive growth market for renewable energy. RWE has been actively operating in the country for a decade and manages one of Australia’s largest solar farms.
By securing exclusive seabed rights in the Bass Strait off Gippsland, we are now venturing into the Australian offshore wind market, bringing over two decades of experience in this sector.
The Kent project will enable us to develop one of the first offshore wind farms off the Australian coast, aligning with our strategy to expand our renewable energy portfolio in Australia and the broader Asia-Pacific region.”
Next Steps and Stakeholder Engagement
RWE’s immediate focus for this early-stage project involves conducting studies to determine the project design and submitting applications for planning permission.
The company will also actively engage with key stakeholders, First Nations groups, and local communities. A crucial future milestone will be securing an offtake agreement to further advance the project’s development.