Equinor eyes 6GW build-out with Australian offshore wind debut

The partners aim to submit permitting applications for the three wind farms — the 2000MW Novocastrian Novocastrian (2000MW) Offshoreoff Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, Asia-Pacific Click to see full details, 2000MW Illawarra Illawarra (2000MW) Offshoreoff Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia, Asia-Pacific Click to see full details and 2000MW Eden Eden (2000MW) Offshoreoff Eden, New South Wales, Australia, Asia-Pacific Click to see full details projects – once the relevant areas have been formally declared as offshore wind zones by the Australian government.

It is unclear whether Equinor has bought a stake in the projects, and if so, what percentage it will own.

The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2022, subject to relevant approvals.

It marks Equinor’s entry into Australian offshore wind. The Norwegian energy giant has previously developed floating offshore wind in UK waters, and is close to completing another project in its home market. It is also eyeing offshore wind projects in Brazil, France, Poland, South Korea, Spain and the US.

Meanwhile, Oceanex Energy – co-founded by originators of the 2200MW Star of the South Star of the South (2200MW) Offshoreoff Gippsland, Victoria, Australia, Asia-Pacific Click to see full details project, Australia’s most advanced offshore wind farm – is targeting two other 2GW projects in Australian waters and three 1GW projects off New Zealand.

Oceanex CEO Andy Evans said: “We believe that Equinor, as leaders in offshore wind and floating foundation development, are the ideal partner to progress these exciting projects.”

Earlier this month, Australia launched a public consultation on designating a site off Victoria in the country’s south-east for offshore wind development. It also identified five other areas with the potential for offshore wind development – due to them hosting existing power generation facilities, industrial hubs, transmission networks and major export ports, according to the government – including sites off Hunter and Illawarra in Australia.

It is as yet unclear how much capacity the zones could support, or how projects will eventually be compensated for their electricity production.