Associate Professor Pedro Fidelman, Adjunct Dr Miguel Frohlich and Dr Danielle Smith are leading a work package on policy and regulatory processes as part of a research project by the Blue Economy CRC, which is exploring the potential of offshore wind power in Australia. With suitable sites located across all Australian states, offshore wind power has the potential to establish Australia as a leader in the energy industry.
To support this growth, this project identified best practices in policy and regulatory processes applicable to offshore wind development, as well as key elements of social acceptability and supply chain systems. By improving knowledge in these areas, the project informed efficacy, integrity and good governance in Australia’s burgeoning offshore wind power industry.
The results of the research will benefit end-users and offshore wind project proponents who are required to deal with complex regulatory and policy frameworks, as well as policymakers tasked with implementing new management arrangements. Overall, this research project contributed to the realisation of Australia's offshore wind energy potential.
- Identified best practices in policy and regulatory processes applicable to offshore wind development that may be considered in the Australian policy and regulatory context.
- Identified key elements of social acceptability for offshore wind development and assist industry in addressing an integrated integrity system approach to offshore wind projects.
- Identified supply chain systems for the development of offshore wind industry and provide strategic direction.
The synthesis of this research:
- Provided resources ensuring industry practitioners wanting to build robust social support and pursue ethical best practice will be well-placed to do so, including by building engagement with community, and having clarity about the way policy and regulation can work to deliver the ethical promise of offshore wind.
- Improved knowledge of policy and regulatory arrangements, social values and supply chain issues that apply to offshore wind energy developments in Australia.
- Benefitted end-users, including offshore wind project proponents who currently need to deal with a complex and regulatory and policy framework, policymakers tasked implementing new management arrangements as well as understanding knowledge gaps to facilitate offshore energy deployment.
- Improved the understanding of key elements in the management of offshore wind developments will enhance new investments and, therefore, contribute to the realisation of Australia’s offshore wind energy potential.
Smith, D., Frohlich, M., Fidelman, P. (2025). Enabling Policy and Regulation for Offshore Wind: Lessons from Australia’s Emerging Blue Economy. In: Leal Filho, W., Salvia, A.L., Eustachio, J.P.P., Dinis, M.A.P. (eds) Handbook of Sustainable Blue Economy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-32671-4_8-1
