First management plan approved for offshore wind

In a significant milestone for the sector, the Offshore Infrastructure Regulator (OIR) has approved the feasibility stage management plan of Blue Mackerel North Pty Ltd for the Blue Mackerel project off the coast of Gippsland, Victoria.

The approval allows Blue Mackerel to begin feasibility activities, including metocean and geotechnical investigations to assess the potential for harnessing renewable energy.

The management plan is a legally binding document that details how activities are to be carried out under an Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act (OEI Act) licence.

Before an OEI Act licence holder can commence activities that involve the construction, installation, commissioning, operation, maintenance or decommissioning of infrastructure in the Commonwealth offshore area, they must have their management plan approved by the OIR. 

Once approved, the licence holder is required to submit a summary of the management plan to the OIR within 30 days. 

To promote transparency and ensure the public has access to accurate information about activities being undertaken, the management plan summary will be made available on the OIR’s website.

For more information, read the Minister for Energy’s media release here: Joint media release: Victoria steps closer to harnessing the power of offshore wind.