NOPSEMA takes on new role
The Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act 2021 (the Act) passed the federal parliament on 25 November 2021, establishing a regulatory framework for offshore renewable energy and offshore electricity infrastructure activities for the first time in Australia.
Under the Act, NOPSEMA has been given the role and functions of the Offshore Infrastructure Regulator (the Regulator). As the Regulator, it will oversee the sector's work health and safety, infrastructure integrity, environmental management, and financial security.
This new role recognises NOPSEMA’s expertise and long history in bringing about improvement in the OHS, structural integrity and environmental management across the Australian offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas storage industry.
This is not the first time the Australian Government has called on NOPSEMA’s expertise and expanded its remit. In 2005, NOPSEMA’s predecessor, the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority (NOPSA), was established as the safety regulator of offshore petroleum facilities. In 2011–12, following recommendations from the Montara Commission of Inquiry, NOPSA’s role and functions were expanded to include the regulation of well integrity and environmental management. To reflect the change, NOPSA became NOPSEMA. In 2014, NOPSEMA became the sole environment regulator in Commonwealth waters following the endorsement of its environmental management authorisation process by the federal Minister for the Environment.
The Regulator will report to the federal Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction, The Hon Angus Taylor MP.
The Regulator’s approach will be characterised by independence, professionalism, and respect for due process, and reinforced through a strong commitment to promotion and advisory activities for duty holders and other stakeholders. The Regulator will continue to foster relationships with its equivalent domestic and international regulatory counterparts to support global collaboration in the offshore renewable energy sector.
In the same way the offshore petroleum industry bears the cost of regulation, so too will the offshore renewable energy industry through a combination of fees and levies.
The Regulator will provide specialist technical advice to the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment in the assessment of offshore renewable energy proposals under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. This will include advice on the assessment of Australia’s first major offshore wind project, the Star of the South, proposed to be located off the south coast of Gippsland in Victoria.
Developers are encouraged to engage with the Regulator early in the project planning phase. If you would like further information about the framework or wish to clarify regulatory requirements, please contact offshorerenewables@nopsema.gov.au.