The Federal Government is supporting offshore electricity infrastructure and renewable energy opportunities through its Offshore Electricity Infrastructure (OEI) framework.
Australia’s first OEI framework, enabled by legislation introduced by the Federal Government in late 2021, will enable the development of offshore electricity infrastructure, including offshore wind and electricity transmission projects, in Commonwealth waters.
The framework reflects the Federal Government’s support for Australia’s offshore electricity industry, and is a critical part of ensuring that Australia takes full advantage of their abundant sources of renewable energy.
Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction, Angus Taylor, said, “Today’s release of the supporting regulations for the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure legislative framework marks an important next step in supporting a new offshore industry in Australia.
“This will create a range of important new opportunities, particularly in our regions, by enhancing the delivery of affordable reliable power and creating thousands of new jobs.
“It will accelerate a number of projects already under development such as Star of the South and the Marinus Link transmission line, which will connect the mainland to Tasmania’s Battery of the Nation project.”
Assistant Minister to the Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction, Tim Wilson, said last year the Federal Government delivered key legislation to develop an offshore wind industry and other electricity infrastructure, as the next technology leap toward carbon neutrality by 2050.
“The Morrison Government is launching the regulatory framework for a whole new source of energy that will help deliver cheaper electricity, more jobs and development in our regions,” Mr Wilson said.
“We want feedback from the sector so that the OEI framework can provide clarity and certainty to investors wanting to build Australia’s offshore energy future to deliver for households, workers, and industrial consumers.”
The draft OEI regulations set out crucial arrangements to allow the framework to become operational, including the licencing scheme, fees and levies.
The public consultation will be open from 22 March until 22 April 2022.
