The Blue Mackerel offshore wind project, developed by JERA Nex bp—a joint venture between JERA Co. and BP—has received Major Project Status (MPS) from the Australian federal government.
The 1 GW project, with MPS recognition, will receive support from the Federal Major Projects Facilitation Agency (MPFA) to navigate environmental and regulatory approvals, according to the developer.
Located about 10 kilometres off the Gippsland coast between Seaspray and Woodside, on Brataualung and Tatungalung Country, Blue Mackerel requires necessary approvals and a commercial licence for construction.
Once completed, the project could supply electricity to 750,000 Victorian homes annually by 2032, as reported by JERA Nex BP.
In April 2024, the federal government granted Blue Mackerel a seven-year feasibility licence for a 163-square-kilometre area.
Earlier this year, Australia’s Offshore Infrastructure Regulator (OIR) approved the feasibility stage management plan, making Blue Mackerel the first offshore wind project in Australia to achieve such approval under the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act 2021 and the associated regulations.
The MPS award for Blue Mackerel comes amidst a challenging period for Australia’s offshore wind market, marked by the abandonment of several projects. The 2.5 GW Gippsland Skies project, developed by a consortium including AGL Energy and Mainstream Renewable Power, was recently shelved.
In July, BlueFloat Energy canceled its Gippsland Dawn floating wind project, citing commercial non-viability. RWE also halted its 2 GW Kent project development in October due to cost pressures and regulatory uncertainties. Additionally, the 1.5 GW Navigator offshore wind project, owned by a ventureship between Origin Energy and RES, has been paused.
In September, the Victorian government delayed its first offshore wind auction, initially scheduled for that month, citing obstacles in licensing approval and global uncertainties.
Follow offshoreWIND.biz on:
Original Story at www.offshorewind.biz