Following the declaration, the zone will be open to feasibility licence applications which will be accepted between 17 June and 15 August.
According to the government, the zone will bring new employment opportunities to the Illawarra, creating an estimated 1,740 new jobs during construction and 870 ongoing jobs, including engineers, technicians, operators, riggers, seafarers, dockworkers, project managers, and administrators.
“My expectation is that all proponents not only make sure that their projects meet the highest environmental standards but also incorporate local content, including the use of locally produced steel, and local workforce and develop a strong benefit sharing scheme so that our community meaningfully benefits from hosting an offshore wind farm should one be developed,” said Byrnes .
In February 2023, the government of New South Wales declared the Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) in the Illawarra region as the fifth and final REZ to be declared of the first five zones identified under the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap.
Australia had previously designated wind zones in the Hunter region of NSW, as well as in Gippsland and the Southern Ocean regions of Victoria.
Follow offshoreWIND.biz on: