The Smart Energy Council congratulates the Albanese Government for continuing progress on developing Australia’s Offshore Wind Industry.

Today’s announcement of feasibility licences for the Southern Ocean and Hunter zones are a confidence booster for an industry that’s enduring political attacks from the fossil fuel industry and the Liberal and National Parties.

“Offshore wind presents enormous investment, employment and energy security potential for Australia,” Smart Energy Council Chief Executive John Grimes said.

“Australia is now producing 46 per cent of its power through renewable energy, offshore wind will help us speed towards 100 per cent.”

“It’s beyond disappointing that in areas like the Southern Ocean, the Liberal Party wants to drill for gas, rather than harvest the wind.”

The Smart Energy Council notes it was the Liberal Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor who originally introduced the offshore wind legislation to Parliament just four years ago.

“Offshore generation and transmission can deliver significant benefits to all Australians through a more secure and reliable electricity system, and create thousands of new jobs and business opportunities in regional Australia,” Mr Taylor said in 2021.

Mr Grimes expressed dismay at the fact that the federal opposition is now threatening to scrap the industry.

“Having welcomed offshore wind to Australia with open arms, the Liberal Party has done a backflip because Peter Dutton is in charge,” he said.

“Just today, we’ve learnt that Peter Dutton has made a sweetheart deal with the fossil fuel industry, promising a ‘bucket load’ more gas by slashing approval times and environmental oversight.”

“The Federal Opposition are CoalKeepers and GasGuzzlers, with a nuclear nightmare obsession, proving more than ever this federal election is a sliding doors moment for renewable energy and our climate.”

“One side is promising 82 per cent renewable energy by 2030, the other to cap it at 54 per cent, a target we’ll reach by July next year.”

Media contact: Tim Lamacraft – tim@smartenergy.org.au – 0448 972 192