Ocean Winds, an international company dedicated to offshore wind energy and created as a 50-50 joint venture by EDP Renewables and ENGIE, has lodged applications to the Australian Government to develop offshore wind farms in waters off Gippsland, Victoria and take part in reaching the State’s ambitions targets of 95 per cent of renewable energy by 2035 with at least 2 GW of offshore generation capacity by 2032, 4 GW by 2035 and 9 GW by 2040.
Ocean Winds presented applications for three offshore wind projects representing a total of ca. 4 GW of offshore wind capacity, reflecting the potential for both bottom-fixed and floating offshore wind projects to help secure these targets. With global experience and a 16.6 GW portfolio of secured projects, including bottom-fixed and floating offshore wind farms, Ocean Winds is well placed to analyse the seabed area for responsible development, utilising the appropriate technology. With 1.5 GW in operation and another 2 GW under construction, Ocean Winds will bring this experience to build on the supply chain and create local opportunities, while engaging with all stakeholders and communities to deliver sustainable outcomes.
In its applications, Ocean Winds commits to making its global experience available to support the Australian Government’s decision to accelerate the development of offshore wind energy as a key response to climate change mitigation, a new sustainable industry unlocking local socioeconomic opportunities and an answer to energy independence.
As Bautista Rodriguez, Chief Executive Officer for Ocean Winds, commented “Based on our proven international expertise in delivering offshore wind projects with concrete local returns, Ocean Winds is confident that the plan contained in our applications will not only secure the first offshore wind farms in Australia, but also deliver significant economic benefits to the region, including establishing a long-term local offshore wind industry that will enhance Victoria as a Renewable Energy Supply Chain Hub. Ocean Winds is committing on a long-term basis to help in the development of capabilities, skills, and knowledge within the existing and future workforce to answer regional, national, and international development of offshore wind energy.” He added: “We firmly believe our three applications together represent an ideal pathway for the establishment of offshore wind in Australia.”
Ocean Winds participated in the Victorian tender through its bidding company High Sea Wind Ltd. All applications from High Sea Wind were submitted with the strong support of Ocean Winds and its sponsors, EDPR and ENGIE, which has been present in in Australia since 1996 and is highly involved in the energy transition of the country.
Source: https://www.oceanwinds.com/