Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act 2021

The Minister may, by written notice, grant a research and demonstration licence in respect of an area to an eligible person if:

the eligible person applies for the licence under the licensing scheme; and

the area is a declared area, or a part of a declared area, under a declaration at the time the licence is granted; and

the Minister is satisfied that granting the licence would be consistent with any conditions that apply to the declaration; and

the area meets the requirements in subsection (4); and

if the area includes any part of the licence area of another licence—the Minister is satisfied that any activities carried out in accordance with the proposed licence would not unduly interfere with the activities of the holder of the other licence; and

the Minister is satisfied that the licence meets the merit criteria; and

any other requirements prescribed by the licensing scheme are met.

For review of decisions, see section 297.

The licence area of a research and demonstration licence is the area in respect of which the licence is granted (other than any part of that area that becomes a vacated area).

See the definition of vacated area in section 8.

The notice of grant of a research and demonstration licence must:

specify the licence area; and

state the day on which the licence comes into force; and

state the end day of the licence; and

specify the conditions that are to apply to the licence; and

include any other matters prescribed by the licensing scheme; and

be given in accordance with the licensing scheme.

The licence area:

must be continuous; and

must be entirely within the Commonwealth offshore area at the time the licence is granted.