EDF buys multi-gigawatt-scale floating wind project off NSW

EDF Renewables has acquired the Newcastle Offshore Wind (NOW) project in New South Wales, Australia, which is set to create a floating complex with a potential capacity of up to 10 GW.

The renewables unit of France’s EDF (EPA:EDF) said on Thursday it will continue working with the scheme’s initial developer Newcastle Offshore Wind Energy Pty Ltd (NOWE) under a collaborative partnership. After working together for the past 12 months, the parties intend to scale up the cooperation “to meet the project needs.”

NOW is planned to be installed near the Port of Newcastle, which is located within the state's proposed Hunter-Central Coast renewable energy zone. The selected site is in proximity to port and energy transmission infrastructure.

The project will be developed in stages, aligning with the planned retirement of aging coal-fired power stations in the region, EDF Renewables said without giving details about the final size. The initial concept, which has been under development by NOWE for almost 10 years, calls for 10 GW of capacity to be deployed in three or four phases some 25 km-34 km off Newcastle.

“I am very confident that this project will play a crucial role in providing new opportunities for employment, establishing new business and the revitalisation of existing business looking to transition from existing industrie,” said Dave Johnson, CEO of EDF Renewables in Australia.

At present, EDF Renewables operates seven offshore wind farms globally and has five more under construction.

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