The University of Melbourne has launched the Australian Centre for Offshore Wind Energy (ACOWE) to address key challenges faced by offshore wind farms in Australia. Partnering with universities and offshore wind stakeholders, ACOWE will serve as the gateway to access multidisciplinary Australian research capabilities.
Offshore wind faces several significant challenges including a complex regulatory environment, social acceptance, workforce shortage, environmental management, supply chain gaps, and the need for site-specific engineering. The centre will collaborate with stakeholders to advance research, teaching, and training to support the growing offshore wind energy sector.
The initiative aims to develop the labour force by offering training and education in the energy sector, equipping the future workforce with the necessary skills for building and maintaining offshore and onshore infrastructure. The centre involves collaboration between the University of Melbourne, Deakin University, Federation University, the University of Newcastle, the University of Western Australia, and the University of Wollongong.
