The Australian Government has approved a deed of licence to allow Offshore Energy (OEPL) to undertake resource exploration for an offshore wind farm.
The licence will allow OEPL to undertake exploration in commonwealth waters about eight to 13 kilometres off the Gippsland coast in the state of Victoria.
There are currently no offshore wind farms in Australia. The government said that this exploration will determine if Australia can be part of this sector in the longer term.
Through this licence, OEPL will be allowed to undertake activities to assess wind resources and sea bed conditions understand whether an offshore farm is technically feasible.
OEPL has not been given any rights to develop or operate an offshore wind farm under the licence, which requires OEPL to undertake extensive consultation with the community and industry before undertaking any activities.
The government's said its engagement with the proposal is only in relation to the exploration licence and it is not providing financial support toward the development of the project.
