Now and next – current issues for Australia’s offshore wind industry

On 27 April 2023, applications closed for the first round of feasibility licences to be issued under the Commonwealth’s new offshore electricity infrastructure (OEI) regime. While we await the Minister’s decisions on those applications, there is much more happening in the Australian offshore wind industry. We discuss key updates, considerations for getting projects off the … 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 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 zone. Read more

Reforming the Safeguard Mechanism

Government has announced that it will review the operation of the Safeguard Mechanism with a view to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from Australia’s highest emitting facilities. Comments on the discussion paper are due by 20 September 2022, with key issues in the discussion paper being calculation of baselines, the use of crediting mechanisms. Read more

Legislating ambition: Climate Change Bill 2022

The Federal Government has tabled its Climate Change Bill 2022 (the Bill) which – if passed – will enshrine into law the Government’s emissions reduction targets. A second bill, the Climate Change (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2022 (the Amendments Bill) would define these targets as objectives of a range of government agencies and programs. Read more