Offshore investors & offshore wind in Australia: FIRB in the context of offshore wind feasibility licences

Australia’s foreign investment legislation does not yet clearly address our evolving offshore wind licensing landscape, with offshore wind feasibility licences not neatly sitting within an existing category of actions in the current FIRB regime. However, FIRB has taken a consistent approach in approving recent applications, providing clarity for future foreign participants. Read more

Draft Queensland Renewable Energy Zone Roadmap published for consultation

On 10 July 2023, the Queensland Government published the Draft 2023 Queensland Renewable Energy Zone Roadmap (Draft Roadmap) for community feedback. Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) development is a key component of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan and meeting the State’s renewable energy targets. The Draft Roadmap details the Queensland REZ Framework to be established under new legislation and the pathway to connect 22 gigawatts of new wind and solar energy to the Queensland electricity grid. Read more

Head start or head wind: will the ‘Hydrogen Headstart’ Program be the promised springboard for the Australian hydrogen industry?

In its recent annual budget, the Federal Government announced the $2 billion Hydrogen Headstart Program to catalyse Australia’s green hydrogen industry and position Australia as a global leader in hydrogen production and export. On 7 July 2023, the Consultation Paper was released. In this article we explore key aspects of this initiative and its challenges. … Read more

Public consultation open: Proposed offshore renewable energy infrastructure area off the NSW Hunter Coast

The Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) announced yesterday that it is seeking public feedback on the possible effects of renewable energy projects off the NSW Hunter coast. This announcement follows last year’s declaration of part of Bass Strait off Victoria’s Gippsland coast as Australia’s first offshore renewable energy infrastructure … Read more

Public Consultation open for GO Scheme for hydrogen and renewable energy certification

The Australian government is consulting with stakeholders on two policy papers drafted for a proposed Guarantee of Origin (GO) Scheme for hydrogen and renewable electricity certification. Consultation on the policy papers closes on 3 February 2023. Snapshot The Guarantee of Origin (GO) Scheme is proposed to measure, track and verify greenhouse gas emissions, initially for … Read more