New 1.7GW floating offshore wind project unveiled in Hunter renewable zone

New plans for yet another offshore wind energy project in Australian waters have emerged, with BlueFloat Energy unveiling a proposal to install 1.7GW of floating turbines off the coast of the New South Wales Hunter region.

Spanish developer BlueFloat Energy announced on Tuesday the Eastern Rise Offshore Wind Project as the latest in its growing portfolio of projects across Australia.

The new project follows closely on last week’s news that the Albanese government has kicked off the process of making the Pacific Ocean off the coast from the Hunter region the nation’s second official offshore wind farm development zone.

BlueFloat says the Eastern Rise project sits within the proposed offshore wind zone, adjacent to Nelson Bay.

The company says it is drawn to the Hunter zone by the region’s roots in heavy industry and power generation, the quality of its wind resource, and the positive stakeholder and community engagement BlueFloat has experienced there already.

BlueFloat has previously worked on the early stages of a separate project in the zone, the 1.65GW Hunter Coast Offshore Wind Project, which is now being developed independently by Energy Estate.

“Minister Bowen’s announcement is positive for the whole state and Australia’s energy transition,” Sankey said.

“We know local communities support regional economic opportunities and are receptive to sustainable innovation.

“We will be working closely with the local communities to ensure this project delivers economic and environmental benefits to the area and builds on the region’s long history as a leader in energy, manufacturing and maritime industries.”

Carlos Martin, the CEO of BlueFloat Energy, says the new project demonstrates the company’s commitment to
developing world-class offshore wind projects in Australia and New Zealand.

“BlueFloat Energy hopes that through collaboration with government at all levels, industry, communities and other offshore wind proponents, it can create a lasting impact on Australia’s transition and cement the nation’s position as a clean energy superpower,” Martin said.

So far, there are a number of offshore wind energy projects proposed for off the coast of New South Wales, with just a few of them in the Hunter zone.

These include a 2GW project being developed by OceanEx and Equinor, the aforementioned Energy Estate project, and the biggest floating wind project proposed for Australian waters yet, now owned by French nuclear giant EDF.

BlueFloat’s Eastern Rise Offshore Wind Project is proposed to be delivered over a period of seven years and have an installed capacity of 1.725 gigawatts.

See RenewEconomy’s Offshore Wind Farm Map of Australia