The Port of Newcastle, a major coal port in New South Wales, is applying to become a operations center for offshore wind energy with the aim of facilitating the deployment of projects that could reach up to 5 GW of capacity through floating turbines in the Hunter development zone.
Port of Newcastle: future offshore wind hub?
Ownership of the Port of Newcastle, shared by Macquarie’s The Infrastructure Fund and China Merchants Port Holdings Company, has recently revealed that a recent study positions it as the leading candidate to support the deployment of floating offshore wind (FOW) in the region . According to the study, the port stands out for its deep navigation channel, large available development areas and the absence of obstructing infrastructure (such as bridges), making it ideal to operate as an offshore operations center.
The Hunter offshore wind zone, which is the second declared development zone in Australia, occupies nearly 2,000 km² in the Pacific Ocean and is a pioneer in the country in the installation of floating turbines . This strategic site, along with others in the Illawarra, New South Wales and regions in New Zealand and Victoria, are notable for their proximity and accessibility from the port, which is just two days’ ocean transit from Bass Strait.
The study suggests that, with appropriate investment and consultation with all stakeholders, the Port of Newcastle has the physical characteristics necessary to sustain the FOW industry in New South Wales and across the Australasian region . Additionally, the port is expected to play multiple roles in the offshore wind sector, including project classification, assembly, erection, operations and maintenance.
Newcastle is not the only port
Despite competition from Victoria’s Port of Hastings, whose development plans were recently reviewed by federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek, Newcastle is pressing ahead with its goal of becoming a hub for Australia’s emerging offshore wind industry. . Victoria faces greater urgency to establish a central port facility for offshore wind, with the first project planned to generate power in 2028 and ambitious state targets to increase offshore wind capacity in the coming decades .
It is clear that the conversion of the Port of Newcastle from a coal hub to an offshore wind hub would mark a significant change in Australia’s energy infrastructure, as well as reflecting a global move towards cleaner and more renewable energy sources. This step would not only help reduce dependence on coal, but would also position Australia as a leader in the deployment of large-scale renewable energy technologies.
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Source: elperiodicodelaenergia.com
Photo: shutterstock
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