Australia declares offshore wind zone off Bunbury

Up to 11.4 GW can be generated.

The Australian Government has designated an area in the Indian Ocean near Bunbury, Western Australia, for offshore wind development.

In a statement, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water said the declared area between Cape Naturaliste and Dawesville has the potential to generate up to 11.4 gigawatts (GW) of renewable wind energy.

This zone is one of six areas the Australian government is considering for offshore wind development. Four of these areas have already been designated as offshore wind zones, namely Gippsland and Southern Ocean in Victoria, and Hunter and Illawarra in New South Wales.

The South West Interconnected System is predicted to need 50 GW more electricity by 2042. 

According to the department, offshore wind projects can’t be built yet. Interested companies can apply for feasibility licences between 3 September and 6 November.