The Australian Government is providing temporary fee and levy relief for offshore wind projects.
Amendments(external link) to the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Regulations 2022(external link) provide temporary financial relief for licence holders for 2 years. The regulations:
- waive annual levies for feasibility and research and demonstration licences
- halve annual levies for transmission and infrastructure licences
- reduce the fees to apply for a research and demonstration licence from $300,000 to $20,000
- reduce the fee to apply for a transmission and infrastructure licence from $300,000 to $150,000.
These changes will:
- ease the financial burden for the emerging offshore wind sector
- allow the sector to focus time and funds on their projects
- drive innovation.
Developers must still:
- undertake environmental assessment
- consult with affected communities.
These requirements haven’t changed.
The amendments also clarify the types of infrastructure regulated by the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act 2021(external link).
Seeing the benefits
Local communities are closer to seeing the benefits of the offshore wind sector. These include:
- jobs for manufacturers, suppliers, and service providers
- business opportunities for providing goods and services
- opportunities for young people and reskilling workers
- First Nations partnerships
- reduced pollution and emissions to help combat climate change.
Find out more about levy and application fee relief.
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