NSW Ports has presented its plans for Port Kembla’s renewable energy precinct at an event at Parliament House, Canberra.

The business attended a clean energy expo on Monday (20 March) alongside parliamentarians, renewable energy proponents, manufacturers, investors, business and industry groups and the University of Wollongong.

NSW Ports recently unveiled concept plans for a large-scale, offshore wind port facility in Port Kembla.

NSW Ports CEO Marika Calfas said the plans demonstrate how the port can be used to support the “rapidly emerging” offshore wind industry over the coming years.

“Port Kembla’s ideal location, connectivity and diverse industrial precinct makes it perfectly positioned to deliver these types of projects to support NSW’s growing renewables demand,” she said.

Ms Calfas noted the port is within the state government’s Illawarra Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) and adjacent to the federal government’s proposed Illawarra offshore wind development zone.

According to NSW Ports, the NSW REZ has already attracted more than $43 billion in potential investment across 44 proposed projects, including eight offshore wind generation initiatives.

“Our proposed offshore wind facility provides an opportunity for significant job creation, domestic innovation and decarbonisation,” Ms Calfas said.

“But we need to act now to support these types of renewable energy opportunities that can strengthen our region and support our state.

“Delivering this type of major infrastructure in time requires substantial and ongoing collaboration between government, private enterprise, industry and the community over the coming years.

“That’s precisely why we’re all gathering in the nation’s capital today to demonstrate to decision makers that the Illawarra is united and ready to develop and help deliver Australia’s renewable future.”

Ms Calfas said the offshore wind port facility concept plans and discussions with offshore wind proponents highlight Port Kembla’s potential to support offshore wind projects.

“The port already handles renewable energy components to support the development of onshore wind farms and solar power and is expected to support hydrogen and critical minerals in the longer term,” she said.