RWE Asia-Pacific Offshore Development Executive Vice President Jens Orfelt speaks during his presentation at the All Energy Australia Conference in Melbourne, Thursday. Courtesy of RWE

German multinational energy company RWE calls for governments to establish legislative frameworks to boost investor confidence in offshore wind power industry.

The company said, Thursday, that its Asia-Pacific Offshore Development Executive Vice President Jens Orfelt participated in the All Energy Australia Conference held in Melbourne.

This year, at the country's largest energy event, an offshore wind session was held under the theme "Developing an Offshore Wind Industry in Australia," focusing on the opportunities and challenges in this rapidly growing sector.

In his presentation, Orfelt emphasized that the offshore wind industry needs clear roadmaps to ensure the development of supporting infrastructure, such as adequate grid connections and port upgrades. He also stressed the importance of establishing legislative frameworks that will foster investor confidence.

"The clean offshore energy industry plays a crucial role in the transition to renewable energy solutions and electrification of societies. Governments worldwide recognize offshore wind targets as essential for achieving climate goals and leading the journey to net- zero emissions. However, challenges such as supply chain investments, cost of capital, and transitioning from target setting to implementation remain significant hurdles that the industry must address," Orfelt said during his presentation at the All Energy Australia Conference in Melbourne.

"To overcome these challenges and drive the offshore wind industry forward, cross-sector collaboration between industry, government and companies is key to establishing a sustainable and healthy ecosystem. With this and the right level of support, Australia is well posed to make offshore wind an integral part of its clean energy mix."

In addition to Orfelt, several other globally renowned leaders in offshore wind energy participated in the event, including GeelongPort CEO Brett Winter, Baker McKenzie Partner Aylin Cunsolo, Executive Director of Wind Energy at the Environment and Climate Action Energy Department Anh Mai, and Deakin University marine science associate professor Daniel Ierodiaconou.

RWE said it was recently granted a feasibility license by the Australian government to develop an offshore wind farm near the Kent Group islands in the Bass Strait, off the Gippsland coast in Victoria.

The All Energy Australia Conference, the peak gathering of leaders driving Australia's energy transformation, brought together more than 11,000 visitors and participants, including heads of industry, government and finance to share the models, trends and technology innovations in driving clean energy adoption.