The Australian Government has taken the first step towards the development of a new offshore renewable energy industry through the introduction of the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Bill 2021. This Bill provides a regulatory framework to support the construction, installation, commissioning, operation, maintenance and decommissioning of electricity transmission and renewable energy infrastructure in the Commonwealth offshore area.
This framework introduces a range of reforms, including powers for the Commonwealth Government to declare Commonwealth offshore areas to be used for offshore energy infrastructure, a new licencing system for infrastructure proponents, the establishment of a Registrar and the creation of a statutory Regulator to oversee the operations of the framework and an offshore electricity infrastructure levy. Proponents will be able to apply for a range of licences include feasibility licences, commercial licences, research and demonstration licences and
