The federal government has officially declared Australia’s second offshore wind development zone, some 2,000 square kms off the coast of NSW, between Swansea and Port Stephens.
The zone is capable of hosting up to 5GW of turbines.The government says the project could create over 3,000 construction jobs and another 1,560 ongoing jobs.
Construction can only begin after a feasibility stage is completed.Energy minister Chris Bowen says feasibility licence applications for the area will open on August 8.
Similar to the first zone in the Bass Strait off the coast of Victoria, the new zone targets an industrial hub still heavily dependent on local coal power generation.The aim is to support its transition to renewable energy.
At just 1,800 square kilometres, the Hunter zone is dwarfed by Victoria's zone which is roughly 15,000 square kilometres.
The government says the smaller footprint aims to balance the views of the local community, industry, and sea users.
In Victoria, a dozen or so projects are vying for a feasibility licence from the federal government to build in the Gippsland zone. Only a few are expected to be granted later this year.