Alison Byrnes MP

Federal Member for Cunningham

Fiona Phillips MP

Federal Member for Gilmore

Carol Berry MP

Federal Member for Whitlam

Many people across the Illawarra and South Coast will be disappointed by the news that BlueFloat Energy has formally withdrawn its application for a feasibility licence in the Illawarra Offshore Wind Zone. While this is a setback, it is not the end of the Illawarra’s clean energy future or the opportunities it can bring for local workers, local industry, and local businesses. 

BlueFloat has made this decision based on commercial reasons, driven by global pressures including supply chain constraints, impacting the offshore wind industry worldwide. BlueFloat, a global consortium, is withdrawing from the industry worldwide, including recently surrendering its feasibility licence in the Gippsland Offshore Wind Zone. 

The declared offshore wind zone in the Illawarra remains in effect and could open for applications for feasibility licences again should there be competitive interest for development and will play a role in research and development until then. 

With our deep-water port, heavy industrial background, word-class research university and a workforce that is looking to embrace possibilities of the future, the Illawarra is uniquely placed to play a key role in the national and global energy future. 

Research and demonstration licences are now open for application to allow emerging renewable energy technologies like floating wind turbine foundations, or wave and tidal power, to be investigated and tested in the Illawarra. 

The Albanese Labor Government will continue working with workers, industry and the community to make sure the Illawarra and our regions remain at the heart of Australia’s clean energy transformation, creating good, secure jobs and delivering cleaner, cheaper, more reliable power. 

ENDS