The Australian government has offered three preliminary feasibility licences for offshore wind projects in Western Australia’s Bunbury zone.
Westward Wind and Bunbury Offshore Wind South have resolved an overlap in the southern part of the area, while a third Bunbury Offshore Wind Farm project is under consultation for a licence in the north.
The three schemes could deliver up to 4GW, enough to power 2.7 million homes.
The government said construction could create more than 2500 jobs with a further 1000 ongoing roles.
Traditional owners will now consider the impacts before final feasibility licences are offered.
The projects add to 12 feasibility schemes already under way on Australia’s east coast.
Climate change and energy minister Chris Bowen said: “The Albanese Government is securing Australia’s energy future with the offshore wind industry the former Coalition Government promised but failed to deliver – and Western Australia is key to our plans.
“In Bunbury, offshore wind has huge potential for jobs, new industry, and clean, reliable renewable energy in the regions which have powered Australia for generations.”
Assistant minister Josh Wilson said: “The remarkable wind resources located offshore from Bunbury present a huge new opportunity for this traditional power generating region to continue its momentum as a clean energy powerhouse.”