Bass Offshore Wind Energy project proposed for north-east Tasmania

There are high hopes for a Bass Strait offshore wind farm following an agreement signed with the government. DETAILS >>

Minister for State Development, Construction and Housing Guy Barnett speaks to the media on Thursday, November 17, 2022.

Tasmania’s first offshore wind farm is a step closer with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the state government and the Bass Offshore Wind Energy (BOWE) project.

The project is a partnership between renewables proponents Nexsphere and Equinor which have plans for a multi-gigawatt offshore wind for Bass Strait in north-east Tasmania.

The agreement was signed by Energy Minister Guy Barnett and BOWE representatives Ingunn Svegården, Senior Vice President Renewables Asia Pacific, Equinor, and Glen Kierse, CEO of Nexsphere.

The parties have agreed to work together to progress the BOWE project and to assist Northern Tasmania being declared an Offshore Renewable Energy Zone by the Australian Government.

“The Rockliff Liberal Government is committed to promoting and developing Tasmania’s ocean and tidal renewable energy resources under the Tasmanian Renewable Energy Action Plan,” Mr Barnett said.

“Tasmania is well placed to support the development of offshore wind energy leveraging our world class wind resource and our existing major industries and new industries including green hydrogen.

“Bass Strait has been named as one of the top options for offshore wind energy generation in the country identified by the Australian Energy Market Organisation and the national Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre.”

Mr Svegården said Equinor was thrilled to be part of the BOWE.

“(WE) will draw upon our deep global experience and resources from 50 years of offshore energy production to ensure that the project can be safely, sensitively and successfully developed.”

Mr Kierse thanked all parties for their support in delivering BOWE through its next milestone stage.

“Globally, offshore wind is accepted as a significant component of the future renewable energy generation mix,” he said.

“This project is a critical link in supporting Tasmania to achieve its world-leading 200 per cent renewable energy target.”

Greens energy spokesperson Rosalie Woodruff said the development had potential.

“We’re in a climate emergency, and it’s crucial we continue to invest in new renewable energy projects to help support our transition away from fossil fuel use. Offshore wind has the potential to play an important role in bringing new green energy online and reducing emissions. We look forward to seeing further details about the project,” she said.