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Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Licence - Australian Government

Description

You will need this licence if you intend to construct, install, commission, operate, maintain or decommission:

  • Offshore renewable energy infrastructure
  • Offshore energy transmission infrastructure

There are four different licensing schemes that you can apply for;

  • Feasibility licence which permits the holder to assess the feasibility of a project for up to 7 years
  • Commercial licence which permit installation and operation of undersea interconnectors to transmit electricity. You will need a feasibility licence before applying for a commercial licence
  • Transmission and infrastructure licence which permit installation and operation of undersea interconnectors to transmit electricity
  • Research and demonstration (R&D) licence which enables short-term projects (up to 10 years) to trial and test new offshore renewable energy technologies.

Service type

Licence

A licence defines the need to obtain recognition / certification and registration to undertake a certain business activity.

Eligibility requirements

Companies applying for a licence need to submit a management plan to the Offshore Infrastructure Regulator. Your management plan will need to detail how your project will operate, including;

  • work, health and safety
  • outcomes of environmental assessments and conditions of approvals
  • plans for construction, installation, commissioning, operations, maintenance and decommissioning
  • your plans for interacting and consulting with other marine users
  • decommissioning cost estimate.

You will also need a referral under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Ongoing eligibility requirements

Feasibility licence holders will need to consult with First Nations people. The attached guide provides an overview of the Government’s expectations and the requirements for developers when consulting with First Nations groups.

Fees

Fees Details for this service in table format.

Task Type Business Structure Description
Apply Licence All Please contact the agency for more information on fees to be submitted.

Act(s) name

Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act 2021 Australian Government

Regulation(s) name

Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Regulations 2022 Australian Government

Administering agency

National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority