The Australian government has awarded three preliminary feasibility licences for offshore wind projects in Western Australia’s Bunbury zone.

The Bunbury zone is located south of Perth and was declared in September 2024. Authorities believe that it could provide up to 11.4GW of renewable energy. 

In the southern area of the zone, Westward Wind and Bunbury Offshore Wind South have both received feasibility licences.

Oceanex Energy is the developer of the former, while France’s EFP Group will be developing the latter project. Both project awards were delayed due to an overlap between their plans. The issue has now been resolved.

The third project is in the northern area of the zone that is currently under consultation for a preliminary feasibility license. The project, named Wind With Purpose, is currently in discussions with a “tier 1 partner”, according to local media.

The three proposed offshore wind projects off the coast of Bunbury could generate a total of 4GW, enough to power around 2.7m homes.

Should these projects go ahead, they could employ over 2,500 workers during construction and another 1,000 ongoing jobs. The projects will add to the 12 feasibility projects currently under development on the east coast, with more to come.

The government said that traditional owners would now have time to consider the impacts of the Westward Wind and Bunbury Offshore Wind projects before they are offered a final feasibility licence.

Overall, Australia has granted feasibility licences for projects targeting a total of 24.21GW of renewable energy and preliminary offers for another 4GW. 

“Western Australia needs some 50 GW of additional generation by 2042, and we’re getting to work making sure that we deliver the new clean energy, and the good jobs, the West needs,” said Chris Bowen, Australia’s minister for climate change and energy.