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Wind energy is a significant source of renewable energy in Australia, contributing 31.8 thousand gigawatt hours of electricity across the nation as of 2023. The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has been supporting the global transition to net-zero emissions by accelerating the pace of pre-commercial innovation, benefiting Australian consumers, businesses, and workers. Australia's wind energy resources are located mainly in the southern parts of the continent, with South Australia and Victoria possessing a large share of the country's installed wind capacity. The country's vast coastlines and geographical diversity make it an ideal location for wind energy production, and the industry is expected to continue growing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wind energy potential | The areas with the highest wind energy potential are the coastal regions of western and southern Australia, elevated areas of New South Wales and Queensland, and the southern coastline, which lies in the Roaring Forties. |
| Wind speed | Average wind speed in the southern coastline above 8-9 m/s at turbine hub height. The Victorian Wind Atlas shows a modelled average wind speed of 6.5m/s across the state, with the highest average wind speeds (>7m/s) found in coastal, central and alpine regions of Victoria. |
| Wind resources | Australia has some of the best wind resources in the world, with abundant wind resources that provide for the country's renewable energy sector. |
| Wind power capacity | As of 2023, wind energy contributed 31.8 thousand gigawatt hours of electricity across the nation, generating enough energy to meet 35.9% of the country's electricity demands. |
| Wind power cost | The cost of utility-scale wind energy in Australia is expected to fall, with new wind farms expected to deliver electricity at around $50-65/MWh in 2020 and below $50/MWh in 2030. |
| Wind power and environment | Wind energy is a renewable and clean energy source that does not emit toxic substances or generate waste. It has one of the lowest water-consumption footprints and helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. |
| Wind farms | Wind farms are a collection of wind turbines that generate electricity, which is then transported into the grid or stored in large-scale batteries. The construction of wind farms must consider various factors, including aviation impacts, environmental impacts, and landscape values. |
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What You'll Learn
- Wind energy in Australia is affordable and cost-efficient
- Australia's wind energy resources are mainly in the southern parts of the continent
- The Victorian government has legislated a target of 2GW of offshore wind power by 2032
- Wind energy is one of Australia's main sources of renewable energy
- Wind farms must be appropriately located, sited, designed and operated
Wind energy in Australia is affordable and cost-efficient
Australia has some of the best wind resources in the world, with abundant wind energy resources along its southern coastline, in the path of the "Roaring Forties". This wind belt is characterised by high and relatively constant wind conditions, with average wind speeds of 8-9 m/s at turbine hub height. These strong winds provide an excellent opportunity for wind power generation, making wind energy a highly efficient and affordable option for Australia.
Wind energy in Australia is not a new concept, and the country has been harnessing wind power for many years. The establishment of wind farms in Australia was initially driven by the Government's Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET) in the early 2000s. By 2006, Australia had installed sufficient renewable energy sources to meet the MRET target for 2010. In 2007, the commitment to the Kyoto Protocol further bolstered wind power projects, with the promise of a 20% renewable power target by 2020. As a result, Australia has a growing number of wind farms, with 90 operational wind farms totalling 11,420 MW in capacity as of September 2024.
The efficiency of wind energy in Australia is further demonstrated by its positive environmental impact. Wind power is a renewable and inexhaustible energy source that does not produce toxic emissions or waste. In 2010, wind power saved Australia 5,100,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions, equivalent to removing 1,133,000 cars from the roads. Additionally, wind turbines have a minimal impact on bird populations, causing less than 0.01% of human-related bird deaths.
The southern coastline of Australia, including South Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania, benefits from strong winds, making these regions ideal for wind power generation. The Victorian government has recognised the potential of wind energy, providing financial support for new wind farms and promoting renewable energy initiatives. With Australia's wind capacity currently designated as onshore wind, the Federal Government's recent designation of the Bass Strait as the first offshore wind zone opens up new opportunities for wind energy development.
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Australia's wind energy resources are mainly in the southern parts of the continent
Australia has some of the best wind resources in the world, and wind energy is one of the country's main sources of renewable energy. As of 2023, wind energy contributed a substantial 31.8 thousand gigawatt hours of electricity across the nation, and it is expected to continue growing its share of electricity generation in Australia.
Australia's wind energy resources are mainly found in the southern parts of the continent, which lie in the path of the westerly wind flow known as the "Roaring 40s". The southern coastline lies in this wind belt, with sites having average wind speeds above 8-9 m/s at turbine hub height. The coastal regions of southern Australia, along with western and southern regions of Western Australia, southern South Australia, western Victoria, northern Tasmania, and elevated areas of New South Wales and Queensland, are particularly well-equipped to produce wind energy. The New South Wales Wind Atlas shows that the areas with the highest wind energy potential lie along the higher exposed parts of the Great Dividing Range and very close to the coast. The Victorian Wind Atlas shows a modelled average wind speed of 6.5m/s across the state, with the highest average wind speeds (>7m/s) found in coastal, central, and alpine regions of Victoria.
The geographical diversity and vast coastlines of Australia make it an ideal location for wind energy production. Wind farms must be appropriately located, sited, designed, and operated, with aviation impacts, environmental impacts, scenic and acoustic amenity, landscape values, and the safe and efficient operation of local transport networks and road infrastructure all assessed before construction can begin. While the majority of areas convenient for electricity transfer to the grid are onshore, offshore sites have also been identified as having significant potential for wind energy, both to take advantage of increased wind speeds and to increase the number of available sites. In December 2022, the Federal Government designated the Bass Strait off Gippsland as Australia's first offshore wind zone.
Wind turbines use the energy of the wind to spin an electric generator, which produces electricity. They are commonly located on hilltops or near the ocean, and they come in various shapes, although the windmill is the most common. Wind energy is a significant source of renewable energy in Australia, and the country has the potential to become a wind superpower.
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The Victorian government has legislated a target of 2GW of offshore wind power by 2032
Victoria, Australia, has set ambitious goals to increase its wind energy capacity. The Victorian government has legislated a target of 2 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind power by 2032, which is expected to meet 20% of Victoria's energy needs at that time. This target is part of a broader plan to phase out coal-fired power plants and transition to renewable energy sources. The state aims to achieve 4GW by 2035 and 9GW by 2040.
Victoria is well-positioned to harness wind energy, particularly along its coastline, which lies in the path of the "'roaring forties,'" a strong westerly wind flow. The state's southern coastline, including the Bass Strait off Gippsland, has abundant wind resources with average wind speeds above 8-9 m/s at turbine hub height. The Victorian Wind Atlas shows that the coastal, central, and alpine regions of the state have the highest average wind speeds, exceeding 7 m/s.
The development of offshore wind projects in Victoria is expected to bring numerous benefits. Firstly, it will contribute to the state's renewable energy targets and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Secondly, it will create thousands of jobs and generate significant economic activity. The Victorian government has also recognised the potential for community involvement in wind farm projects, which can increase community approval and even create tourist attractions.
To kickstart its offshore wind plans, the Victorian government has committed funding for feasibility and pre-construction studies for several projects. The most advanced of these is the Star of the South project, a proposed 2.2 GW wind farm off the coast of Gippsland. This project has received strong support from the government and is on track to become Australia's first offshore wind farm.
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Wind energy is one of Australia's main sources of renewable energy
Wind energy is a significant source of renewable energy in Australia, with a geographical diversity and vast coastline that make it an ideal location for wind energy production. The country's wind resources are located mainly in the southern parts of the continent, which lie in the path of the westerly wind flow known as the "roaring 40s". The southern coastline lies in the Roaring Forties, with sites having average wind speeds above 8-9 m/s at turbine hub height. Australian wind farms produce an average capacity factor range of 30-35%. South Australia and Victoria have a large share of the country's installed wind capacity.
In addition to its renewable benefits, wind energy is also one of the most cost-efficient and affordable electricity sources. In 2006, wind energy was approximately two times the cost of coal-generated power. However, when the costs associated with pollution was factored in, it was competitive with coal- and gas-fired power stations. By 2014, wind energy had the lowest levelised cost of energy (LCOE) of any power source in Australia. As of 2020, new wind farms are expected to deliver electricity at around $50-65/MWh, and this is projected to fall below $50/MWh in 2030.
The Australian government has also recognised the importance of wind energy in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In 2004, the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET) was established, and the election of the Rudd (Labor) government in 2007 further solidified Australia's commitment to the Kyoto Protocol, with a promise to achieve 20% renewable power by 2020. The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is also working to support the global transition to net-zero emissions by accelerating the pace of pre-commercial innovation.
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Wind farms must be appropriately located, sited, designed and operated
The placement and design of wind farms are critical to maximising energy output and minimising environmental and community impacts. When considering the location of a wind farm, a range of factors must be taken into account, including wind resources, grid connection, environmental factors, and community acceptance.
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Frequently asked questions
Wind energy is found in many parts of Australia, including the southern coastline, known as the Roaring Forties, which has average wind speeds above 8-9 m/s.
The best sites for wind energy in Australia are a combination of elevation, local topography, and orientation to the prevailing wind. Some of the best sites include the coastal regions of western and southern Australia, elevated areas of New South Wales and Queensland, and the coastal, central, and alpine regions of Victoria.
Australia has some of the best wind resources in the world and is well-equipped to produce wind energy. The country has the potential to become a wind superpower, with its vast coastlines and geographical diversity making it an ideal location for wind energy production.
Wind energy is one of Australia's main sources of renewable energy, contributing significantly to the country's electricity demands. It is also one of the most affordable electricity sources, with wind and solar costing an average of $112 per megawatt-hour in 2023. Additionally, wind energy helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with a 3.5MW wind turbine capable of reducing emissions by about 7,100 tonnes annually.
The future of wind energy in Australia looks promising. The cost of utility-scale wind energy is expected to continue falling, and the industry is expected to grow its share of electricity generation in the country. The Victorian government has also legislated targets for offshore wind power, aiming for 2GW by 2032 and 9GW by 2040.
