Universities Launch Australian Centre for Offshore Wind Energy

August 1, 2024, by Adnan Memija

Several universities from Australia have teamed up to launch the Australian Centre for Offshore Wind Energy (ACOWE), aimed at tackling key challenges in the country’s offshore wind sector.

The Centre involves collaboration between the University of Melbourne, Deakin University, Federation University, the University of Newcastle, the University of Western Australia, and the University of Wollongong.

“As a newcomer to Australia’s renewable energy portfolio, offshore wind faces several significant challenges including a complex regulatory environment, social acceptance, workforce shortage, environmental management, supply chain gaps, and the need for site-specific engineering,” said the universities.

These challenges, if not addressed promptly, could become roadblocks to progress, the universities added.

The initiative aims to develop the labour force by offering training and education in the energy sector, equipping the future workforce with the necessary skills for building and maintaining offshore and onshore infrastructure.

Partnering with universities and key offshore wind stakeholders, ACOWE will serve as a gateway to access multidisciplinary Australian research capabilities and act as a source of knowledge for the community, according to the universities.

“ACOWE’s collaborative approach is essential to unlocking Australia’s renewable energy portfolio because no single organisation can deliver the cross-functional support needed by governments, communities and industry,” said Shiaohuey Chow, Associate Professor at the University of Melbourne and ACOWE Director.

The Australian government has recently awarded additional licences to six offshore wind projects in the Gippsland Offshore Wind zone, increasing the total number of projects with feasibility licences to twelve, which have the potential to produce 25 GW of energy.