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Australia signs with the Global Offshore Wind Alliance

On Energy Day at COP27 the Australian Government signed onto the Global Offshore Wind Alliance.

On Energy Day at COP27, the Australian Government signed onto the Global Offshore Wind Alliance.

This is a positive signal that Australia is serious about offshore wind as a key part of our energy mix and economy. Signing onto the Alliance shows a commitment to the clean energy transition that must happen if we are to confront climate change and keep 1.5°C degrees within grasp.

The Global Offshore Wind Alliance aims to achieve a minimum total offshore wind capacity of 380 GW by 2030 and 2000 GW by 2050.

Australia’s renewable energy sector has achieved remarkable things in the last five years, doubling our installed capacity to 33 per cent. We are now working hard to reach over 80 per cent renewable energy generation by 2030.

While Australia has a long legacy of a fossil fuel-intensive electricity system, we are now at the cutting edge of the clean energy transition. Our emissions are falling while those of most other sectors are on the rise. With stable and supportive policy from government and substantial investment in our electricity grids, we can move quickly to decarbonise Australia’s electricity sector.

An electricity system powered by renewable energy will underpin the decarbonisation of other sectors in the economy, including transport and heavy industry. It significantly reduces our dependency on gas and oil.

Clean Energy Council Chief Executive, Kane Thornton, hosted a discussion session at COP27 called 'Unlocking Australia’s Offshore Wind Industry: Waking a Sleeping Giant’. During the event he said: “The opportunity for Australia is enormous – we have some of the best offshore wind resource in the world and governments are setting strong targets and policy to unlock this investment.”

There is still much work to be done to make offshore wind a reality – build workforce, develop the supply chain, modernise the regulatory environment and align policy and regulation, but today’s news indicates that the appetite is there.

The Clean Energy Council plays a central role in assisting, enabling and promoting the achievements of Australia’s renewable energy sector. At COP27, we are actively advocating the value of an emerging offshore wind energy sector, and we are co-hosting the Ministerial Stakeholder Reception where Australia’s clean energy sector will be front and centre.