Feasibility licences
Provided there is a management plan for feasibility activities and financial security in place, the licence holder will be able to construct, install, commission, operate, maintain and decommission offshore renewable energy infrastructure needed to assess feasibility of the proposed project. An example of infrastructure to be installed under a feasibility licence would include lidar buoys to assess wind data and other ocean conditions. It does not allow for the commercial generation of electricity.
During the feasibility stage, proposed projects are assessed for environmental approvals including under the EPBC Act.
A further management plan is prepared to cover the entire proposed project, including on the consultation that has taken place with existing marine users, First Nations groups and relevant government departments.
Steps taken to identify, avoid and mitigate potential impacts, including by sharing benefits from the proposed project are also outlined in the management plan.
