Australia identifies Illawarra offshore wind zone with 2.9 GW potential

The area could accommodate projects that could power 1.8 million homes.

The Australian Government declared an area in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Illawarra in New South Wales as an offshore wind zone which could accommodate and generate up to 2.9 gigawatts of capacity.

The area, located between Wombarra and Kiama, is smaller than originally proposed in response to feedback from community members but could still power 1.8 million homes.

“About 90% of Australia’s ageing coal-fired power stations will close by 2035. We need to keep the lights on in our homes, businesses, and communities,” according to a statement by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. 

“Offshore wind offers a large scale, secure, reliable and clean energy source for our electricity network,” the department added.

The declared area is also 20 kilometres offshore, 10 kilometres further than initially proposed to minimal visual impact. 

It added that the area would avoid significant environmental areas such as marine parks, biologically important areas of the Little Penguin, Shelf Rocky Reef Key Ecological Feature, and Southern Right Whale migration and reproduction area.

Companies interested in developing projects in the area have to apply for a feasibility licence from 17 June to 15 August 2024.