Ocean Winds and the University of Melbourne have teamed up to collaborate in identifying offshore wind energy opportunities within Australia

December 12th, 2024 – Melbourne, Australia. Ocean Winds (OW), an international company dedicated to offshore wind energy and created as a 50-50 joint venture in 2020 by EDP Renewables and ENGIE, has formalised a partnership with the University of Melbourne by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The MoU marks a determined commitment to drive offshore wind projects within the country, while exchanging insights between University of Melbourne experts and Ocean Winds specialists.

The purpose of this collaboration is to advance offshore wind energy through pioneering research and innovation, with a particular emphasis on minimizing environmental and measurement constraints.

By conducting environmental studies – such as monitoring pathways and developing predictive tools to optimise outcomes – the partnership aims to support Australia's commitment to both energy transition and biodiversity preservation, as well as Ocean Winds’ dedication to advancing offshore wind projects in the country. This will emphasise environmental stewardship and workforce development through collaboration with institutions like the University of Melbourne.

Key areas of focus include marine science, climate impacts, transmission, environmental considerations and technological advancements relevant to offshore wind in Australia, aligned with the key priorities such as developing enhanced environmental assessment methodologies, monitoring strategies and predictive tools to ensure optimal outcomes for both energy transition and wildlife conservation.

This agreement is a critical step toward the development of High Sea Wind, Ocean Winds’ offshore wind project off the coast of Gippsland. Ocean Winds holds a feasibility license for this project, which will provide an installed capacity of 1.28 GW – sufficient to power one million Victorian households annually and prevent up to 5.3 million tons of CO? emissions per year. This initiative aligns closely with Victoria’s ambitious offshore wind targets.

The University of Melbourne has a long history of driving innovation and advancing new industries through research. To support the emerging offshore wind industry in Australia, the University of Melbourne has partnered with several universities to establish the Australian Centre for Offshore Wind Energy (ACOWE). This national, interdisciplinary initiative aims to deliver evidence-based solutions and a new, skilled workforce to enable sustainable offshore wind development for the benefit of Australia.

Associate Professor Shiaohuey Chow, Director of ACOWE, emphasized the critical role of collaboration in shaping Australia’s renewable energy future: “A collaborative approach is crucial to meeting Victoria’s offshore wind targets in a socially, culturally and environmentally responsible manner,” Associate Professor Chow said.

Professor Thas Nirmalathas, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology at the University of Melbourne, also welcomed the collaboration with Ocean Winds: “This MoU with Ocean Winds will play a key role in unlocking the vast potential of offshore wind energy in Australia, while benefiting local communities and contributing to environmental sustainability,” Professor Nirmalathas said.

Rafael Munilla, Chief Business Development Officer of Ocean Winds, said: “We are delighted to take steps in shaping the Australian offshore wind industry, hand-in-hand with one of the key stakeholders in the renewables energy research field: the University of Melbourne. OW has a strong track record in aligning societal and environmental progress with our offshore wind projects. Putting this expertise at the service of the Australian market, through our High Sea Wind project in Gippsland, not only represents our commitment to leveraging experience and unlocking local opportunities, but it also makes sure that all actors are taking an active part in making these opportunities sustainable and locally focused.”

Professor Ben Rubenstein, University of Melbourne and Rafael Munilla, Chief Business Development Officer, Ocean Winds

About Ocean Winds

Ocean Winds (OW) is an international company operating in the field of offshore wind energy, established as a joint venture between EDP Renewables and ENGIE, with a 50:50 partnership. We firmly believe that offshore wind energy is a fundamental element of global energy transformation, which is why we develop, finance, build, and operate offshore wind farm projects worldwide.   

When EDP Renewables and ENGIE merged their offshore energy assets and programs in 2019 to create Ocean Winds, the company had a combined capacity of 1.5 GW under construction and an additional 4.0 GW in development. OW is rapidly expanding its portfolio and is currently striving to achieve a target capacity of 5-7 GW by 2025, including operational projects, projects under construction, and those in advanced stages of development, as well as 5-10 GW within projects undergoing advanced development activities. Currently, OW's gross energy capacity, including operational, under-construction, and advanced-stage development projects, has reached 18.5 GW. 

More information: https://www.oceanwinds.com/

Media contact: José Miguel Mesa josemiguel.mesa@oceanwinds.com

About The University of Melbourne

Established in 1853, the University of Melbourne is a leading international university with a tradition of excellence in teaching and research. The main campus in Parkville is recognized as the hub of Australia’s premier knowledge precinct comprising eight hospitals, many leading research institutes and a wide-range of knowledge-based industries. With outstanding performance in international rankings, the University is at the forefront of higher education in the Asia-Pacific region and the world.

Further information about working at The University of Melbourne is available at http://about.unimelb.edu.au