ACCORDING to today’s Daily Telegraph, Norwegian firm Equinor and its Australian partner Oceanex are no longer interested in developing the 1,000 square kilometre Illawarra Wind Zone stretching between Kiama and Stanwell Park in NSW.
The federal government, according to the Telegraph, is refusing to confirm if other bidders remain in contention.
Proposal plans have been removed from their websites and The Daily Telegraph has discovered they decided not to submit a formal application for a feasibility licence.
Equinor and Oceanex had previously claimed construction in Illawarra could start in 2028, with the turbines providing power by 2030.
It is understood Equinor and Oceanex chose not to proceed after the government reduced the zone by a third and pushed it 20 kilometres offshore, following significant community and political backlash.
The Daily Telegraph reported that one person with knowledge of the situation said the smaller zone made the project “unattractive” and “too complicated” for investment and development.
“My understanding is Equinor and Oceanex have decided to put all their eggs into other wind projects – including in the Hunter – which is almost double the size” the source said.
The original proposal came under fire from Illawarra locals and fishing groups earlier this year when the federal Government confirmed plans to develop the offshore wind zone in addition to planned zones further north off Port Stephens.
More to follow.
RELATED NEWS: Fishing to be permitted 50 metres from offshore wind turbines.
