Developing offshore renewable energy systems in Australia: existing regulatory challenges and requirements for reliability assurance

Australia has significant potential for the development of offshore renewable energy systems (ORES), and it can play an essential role in the global energy transition. The planning, design, installation, operation, and end-of-life management of ORES present substantial challenges in terms of the reliability of systems and the safety of operations. This paper focuses on identifying the gaps and challenges related to the structural integrity of ORES, highlighting potential areas for technological and managerial improvements. The paper investigates Australia's existing policies and regulations, identifies their shortcomings, and provides recommendations for their advancement. Key recommendations include implementing robust regulations, enhancing site-specific knowledge, adopting structural health monitoring (SHM) from the design phase, and fostering industry collaboration to accelerate ORES development and sustainability. The findings reveal high failure rates in ORES components, attributed to harsh marine conditions, material degradation, and extreme weather, underscoring the need for standardized protection and preventive measures. Integrating climate change impacts into dynamic risk assessments is crucial for accurate failure and consequent analyses. The study advocates learning from other engineering sectors to bridge existing gaps and align with sustainable offshore development goals. These recommendations aim to assist policymakers, regulators, and technology developers in realising safer and more sustainable ORES for Australia.