Lexi Webster
Wind energy is a significant source of renewable energy in Australia, with wind farms located across the country, particularly in coastal areas. As of 2024, Australia had an installed wind capacity of around 13.3 GW, with wind power accounting for 13.4% of the country's total electricity production that year. Australia's wind energy resources are concentrated in the southern parts of the continent, taking advantage of the strong westerly wind flow known as the roaring 40s. The country's vast coastlines and geographical diversity make it an ideal location for wind energy production, with states like Queensland, Victoria, and South Australia investing heavily in wind farm projects.
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What You'll Learn
- Wind energy in Australia is mainly located in the southern parts of the continent
- Australia's wind energy sector is on a promising trajectory, with several dozen wind farm projects underway
- Wind farms in Australia must consider landscape and heritage issues, but they are minimal compared to coal
- Wind energy is one of Australia's main sources of renewable energy, meeting 35.9% of the country's electricity demands
- Wind farms in Queensland must be appropriately located, sited, designed and operated to meet certain criteria
Wind energy in Australia is mainly located in the southern parts of the continent
Wind energy is one of Australia's main sources of renewable energy, and it has been for many years. In 2024, wind energy contributed 13.4% of Australia's total electricity production, meeting 35.9% of the country's electricity demands. As of 2025, all of Australia's wind capacity is designated as onshore wind. However, in December 2022, the Federal Government designated the Bass Strait off Gippsland as Australia's first offshore wind zone.
Several onshore wind farms are perched on hilltops across Queensland, including in the Darling Downs, South West Queensland, Far North Queensland, and North Queensland regions. In 2023, Queensland's Coopers Gap Wind Farm, featuring 123 turbines, commenced construction. New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia are the states investing the most in the wind energy sector and, therefore, have the majority of large-scale projects and farms. In 2015, the Victorian government announced financial support for new wind farms as part of an initiative to promote renewable energy within the state. The Victorian government has also legislated a target of 2GW of offshore wind power by 2032 and 9GW by 2040.
Australia's wind energy sector is on a promising trajectory, with several dozen wind farm projects currently underway. Wind is one of the cheapest sources of electricity in Australia, and the cost is expected to continue falling. By 2030, the wind industry plans to have a 50% share of electricity generation in Australia.
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Australia's wind energy sector is on a promising trajectory, with several dozen wind farm projects underway
Australia's wind energy sector is thriving, with wind power being 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 this figure is expected to increase.
Several dozen wind farm projects are currently underway, with a combined total capacity of 5,500 MW. These projects include the Dulacca Wind Farm, which will have a predicted energy production capacity of 180 MW when it is completed in late 2023. The Flat Rocks onshore wind farm project is currently in the permitting stage and is expected to produce 130 MW of energy. The Golden Plains wind farm, set to begin commissioning in Q4 of 2024, will be Australia's largest wind farm to date, powering more than 750,000 homes with a predicted energy production capacity of 1330 MW.
The Australian government has been working to establish an offshore wind industry, and in December 2022, the Federal Government designated the Bass Strait off Gippsland as the country's first offshore wind zone. This move towards offshore wind farms, in addition to the continued development of onshore wind farms, will help Australia diversify its energy supply and increase its renewable energy capacity.
The wind energy sector in Australia is on a promising trajectory, with significant growth and investment in recent years. The cost of utility-scale wind energy is expected to continue falling, with new wind farms delivering electricity at competitive prices. By 2030, the wind industry aims to have a 50% share of electricity generation in Australia, positioning the country as a potential global leader in renewable energy.
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Wind farms in Australia must consider landscape and heritage issues, but they are minimal compared to coal
Australia is the fifth-highest per capita emitter of greenhouse gases, ranking first among industrialised countries. It is also one of the countries most at risk from climate change, and wind power is a major contributor to its electricity supply. As of September 2024, Australia had an installed wind capacity of 13.3 GW, with 90 operational wind farms, and wind power accounted for 13.4% of the country's total electricity production in 2024.
While wind farms in Australia must consider landscape and heritage issues, these impacts are minimal compared to coal. For example, in the case of the Lal Lal facility in 2017, a wind energy report concluded that the turbine impacts on the heritage landscape could be easily and inexpensively relocated without any energy loss. In contrast, coal-fired power has significant environmental effects, including the release of CO2 into the atmosphere.
In Victoria, planning controls require wind energy approvals to avoid unacceptable impacts on environmental, cultural, and landscape values. Wind farm developments can impact other commercial activities, and decision-making authorities must consider factors such as cultural heritage, aircraft safety, significant views, and the natural environment. Similarly, wind farms in Queensland 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.
Overall, while wind farms in Australia must consider landscape and heritage issues, these impacts are relatively minor compared to the environmental effects of coal-fired power. With Australia's abundant wind resources and the recyclability of wind turbines, wind power plays a crucial role in the country's transition to renewable energy and reducing its emissions.
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Wind energy is one of Australia's main sources of renewable energy, meeting 35.9% of the country's electricity demands
Wind energy is one of Australia's main sources of renewable energy. Wind farms, which are collections of wind turbines that work together to generate electricity, have been established in Australia for many years. This electricity is then transported into the grid or stored in large-scale batteries for households, businesses, and industrial consumption.
Wind energy is a significant contributor to Australia's electricity supply, meeting 35.9% of the country's electricity demands as of 2024. This figure has been steadily increasing over the years, with wind power accounting for 13.4% of Australia's total electricity production in 2024, 7.1% in 2018, and 7.2% in 2015. The geographical diversity and vast coastlines of Australia make it an ideal location for wind energy production, with most of its wind farms situated in coastal areas.
The Australian government has been actively promoting the development of wind energy. In 2001, the Government's Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET) initiative drove the establishment of wind farms in the country. By 2006, sufficient renewable energy had been installed or was under construction to meet the MRET target for 2010. In 2007, the government further demonstrated its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by ratifying Australia's commitment to the Kyoto Protocol and setting a target of 20% renewable power by 2020.
Several states in Australia are investing heavily in the wind energy sector, including New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and South Australia. These states have the majority of the large-scale projects and farms. For example, the Coopers Gap Wind Farm in Queensland commenced construction in 2023 and features 123 turbines. Additionally, the Victorian government has set ambitious targets for offshore wind power, aiming for 2GW by 2032 and 9GW by 2040.
Wind energy in Australia has a promising trajectory, with dozens of wind farm projects currently underway. It is one of the cheapest sources of electricity in the country, and its cost is expected to continue decreasing. By 2030, the wind industry aims to have a 50% share of electricity generation in Australia, positioning the country as a potential global leader in renewable energy.
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Wind farms in Queensland must be appropriately located, sited, designed and operated to meet certain criteria
Wind energy is an important part of Australia's renewable energy strategy. Wind farms in Queensland must adhere to strict criteria regarding their location, siting, design, and operation to ensure they meet the necessary standards and minimise any potential negative impacts.
The Queensland Government has established a consistent state-wide development assessment process for new wind farm proposals. This process includes evaluating the potential impacts on aviation, the environment, and local transport networks. The size and space required for a wind farm will differ depending on topography, site conditions, and access routes. Additionally, wind farms in Queensland must also comply with the Australian Government's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 if the project is likely to have a significant impact on matters of national environmental significance.
To obtain development approval, wind farm proposals must address several criteria. These include the potential impacts on scenic and acoustic amenity, landscape values, and the efficient operation of transport networks. The Queensland Government is committed to ensuring that wind farm projects are subject to impact assessment and approval processes similar to other land uses, such as mining and agriculture. This commitment led to the temporary pause of three wind farm applications to allow for community consultation and impact assessment.
The Queensland Department of Environment and Science is actively reviewing the Wind Farm Code (State Code 23) and guidelines used in the planning assessment of wind farm applications. One key proposed change is to strengthen the environmental assessment criteria to prevent impacts on threatened species and their habitats, as well as areas of high ecological value. This is particularly important in Queensland, where many proposed wind farm locations contain biodiverse remnant forests that are home to threatened species such as the greater glider, koala, and red goshawk.
By following these stringent criteria, wind farms in Queensland can be appropriately located, sited, designed, and operated to meet the necessary standards, minimise negative impacts, and contribute to the state's renewable energy goals.
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Frequently asked questions
Wind energy is a renewable energy source that uses wind turbines to generate electricity. Wind farms, which are collections of wind turbines, work together to generate electricity that can be stored or transported into the grid.
Australia's wind energy resources are mainly located in the southern parts of the continent, particularly in coastal areas. The states with the most large-scale projects/farms are New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and South Australia. As of 2025, all of Australia's wind capacity is designated as onshore wind, with the Bass Strait off Gippsland being the first designated offshore wind zone.
Some examples of wind farms in Australia include the Coopers Gap Wind Farm in Queensland, which features 123 turbines, and the Golden Plains Wind Farm in Victoria, which commenced construction in Q1 2023 and will feature 122 turbines. Other wind farms are located in Darling Downs, South West Queensland, Far North Queensland, and North Queensland regions.
Australia's wind energy sector is on a promising trajectory, with several dozen wind farm projects currently underway. By 2030, the wind industry aims to have a 50% share of electricity generation in Australia, positioning the country as a potential global leader in renewable energy.
