The Tasmanian Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Nexsphere and Equinor to advance the Bass Offshore Wind Energy project (BOWE project).
The BOWE project is a collaboration between renewables proponents Nexsphere and Equinor, which have plans to build a multi-gigawatt offshore wind farm in Bass Strait in North-East Tasmania.
The MOU was signed during the 5th annual Energy Development Conference in Devonport. The parties will collaborate to advance the BOWE project and aid the Australian Government in designating Northern Tasmania as an Offshore Renewable Energy Zone.
“The Rockliff Liberal Government is committed to promoting and developing Tasmania’s ocean and tidal renewable energy resources under the Tasmanian Renewable Energy Action Plan,” Minister for Energy and Renewables Guy Barnett said.
Minister Barnett stated that Tasmania is well-positioned to promote the growth of offshore wind energy by utilising its wind resource, existing significant industries, and future businesses such as green hydrogen.
“Bass Strait has been named as one of the top options for offshore wind energy generation in the country identified by the Australian Energy Market Organisation and the national Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre,” Minister Barnett added.
According to the State Government, it understands that big renewable projects are critical to continue expanding the economy and providing access to cheap, dependable, and clean energy in the State while keeping power rates down.
