Ruqayyah Snyder
Australia has some of the best wind resources in the world, and wind power is a major contributor to the country's electricity supply. As of September 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. The windiest areas in Australia are typically coastal regions and mountainous regions. Australia's wind regions vary significantly due to the country's diverse climates and weather conditions, and these regions have been classified based on wind speeds and the frequency of extreme weather events.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wind energy potential | Some of the best wind resources in the world |
| Areas with highest wind energy potential | Along the higher exposed parts of the Great Dividing Range, coastal regions of western and southern Australia, and inland sites with average wind speeds comparable to coastal areas of southern Australia |
| Windiest areas | Coastal regions of continents at mid-to-high latitudes and mountainous regions |
| Wind speed | Measured in kilometres per hour (km/h) or metres/second (m/s) |
| Wind regions | Four, including Region A (Normal), Region B (Intermediate), Region C (Cyclonic), and Region D (Severe Cyclonic) |
| Wind power contribution to electricity supply | 13.4% (31.9 TWh) of Australia's total electricity production in 2024 |
| Installed wind capacity | 13.3 GW as of September 2024 |
| Largest wind farm | Coopers Gap Wind Farm in Queensland |
| Wind energy cost | One of the most cost-efficient renewable energy sources; by 2014, wind had the lowest levelised cost of energy (LCOE) of any power source in Australia |
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What You'll Learn
Wind energy in Australia
Wind energy is a major contributor to electricity supply in Australia. As of September 2024, the country had an installed wind capacity of around 13.3 GW, with wind power accounting for 13.4% of Australia's total electricity production that year.
Australia has some of the best wind resources in the world, particularly in the southern parts of the continent, which lie in the path of the westerly wind flow known as the "roaring 40s". The coastal regions of western and southern Australia, along with the west coast of Tasmania, have high wind resources, with speeds above 7.5m/s. The best sites for wind energy result from a combination of elevation, local topography, and orientation to the prevailing wind. 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.
Wind energy is generated by converting wind currents into other forms of energy using wind turbines. The wind energy industry is the fastest-growing renewable energy source in many countries and is expected to continue its rapid growth. Wind power is one of the most cost-efficient renewable energy sources and had the lowest levelised cost of energy (LCOE) of any power source in Australia as of 2014. A 2012 study by SKM found that for every 50 MW in capacity, a wind farm delivered various benefits.
As of 2025, all of Australia's wind capacity is designated as onshore wind. However, offshore sites have been identified as having significant potential for wind energy due to increased wind speeds and the availability of additional sites. In December 2022, the Federal Government designated the Bass Strait off Gippsland as Australia's first offshore wind zone. The Victorian government has also legislated a target of 2GW of offshore wind power by 2032 and 9GW by 2040.
Australia had 90 operational wind farms as of September 2024, with a total capacity of 11,420 MW. The largest wind farm is Coopers Gap Wind Farm in Queensland, with a capacity of 453 MW. South Australia, despite comprising only 7.2% of Australia's population, possessed 54% of the country's installed wind capacity as of August 2015. The Victorian government has also announced financial support for new wind farms, with a $200 million investment aimed at constructing 100 MW of new wind energy.
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Wind farms in Australia
Wind energy is a major contributor to electricity supply in Australia, and the country has some of the best wind resources in the world. As of September 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.
The majority of Australia's wind farms are situated in coastal areas, particularly in the southern and western coastal regions of the country, which are characterised by high and relatively constant wind conditions. 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 also shows that the state has a modelled average wind speed of 6.5m/s, with the highest average wind speeds (>7m/s) found in coastal, central and alpine regions.
The largest wind farm in Australia is the Coopers Gap Wind Farm in Queensland, which began generating power in June 2019 and has a capacity of 453 MW. Other large wind farms include the Ten Mile Lagoon Wind Farm and the Nine Mile Beach Wind Farm, which replaced Australia's first commercial wind farm, the Salmon Beach Wind Farm, after it was decommissioned due to urban encroachment.
Wind energy is a cost-effective and renewable source of energy for Australia, and the country is expected to continue to grow its renewable energy sector through the development of additional wind farms. In 2012, a study by SKM found that for every 50 MW in capacity, a wind farm delivered various benefits to the country. Additionally, wind farms can help stabilise the electricity grid and reduce Australia's greenhouse gas emissions, which are currently among the highest per capita in the world.
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Wind speeds in Australia
Australia has some of the best wind resources in the world. The windiest areas are typically coastal regions of continents at mid-to-high latitudes and in mountainous regions. Western and southern Australia fall within the westerly wind belts between latitudes 35° and 50° and are characterised by high, relatively constant wind conditions, with average wind speeds in excess of 6 metres per second (m/s) and, in places, more than 9m/s. 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 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 southern coastline of Australia lies in the Roaring Forties, with sites having average wind speeds above 8–9 m/s at turbine hub height. As of September 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 in 2024. Most of Australia's wind farms are situated in coastal areas, with the largest wind farm being Coopers Gap Wind Farm in Queensland, which has a capacity of 453 MW. South Australia, which comprises only 7.2% of Australia's population, possessed 54% of the country's installed wind capacity as of 2015.
In addition to its onshore wind resources, Australia has also been identified as having significant potential for offshore wind energy development. Offshore sites can take advantage of increased wind speeds and also help to reduce turbulence and stress on machine components. In December 2022, the Federal Government designated the Bass Strait off Gippsland as Australia's first offshore wind zone, and the Victorian government has set targets for offshore wind power generation of 2GW by 2032 and 9GW by 2040.
Wind energy is a major contributor to electricity supply in Australia and is the fastest-growing renewable energy source in many countries. It is generated by converting wind currents into other forms of energy using wind turbines, which extract energy from passing air by converting kinetic energy from rotational movement via a rotor. Wind energy is primarily used for electricity generation, both onsite and for transport to the grid, and is also used to pump bore water, particularly in rural areas. Existing data indicate that wind energy is one of the most cost-efficient renewable energy sources, and by 2014, wind had the lowest levelised cost of energy (LCOE) of any power source in Australia.
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Wind turbines in Australia
Australia has some of the best wind resources in the world, with the windiest areas typically being coastal regions of continents at mid-to-high latitudes and in mountainous regions. The southern coastline lies in the Roaring Forties, with average wind speeds above 8-9 m/s at turbine hub height. As of September 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.
Wind power is a major contributor to electricity supply in Australia and is one of the lowest-cost sources of new electricity supply in the country. It is also one of the country's main sources of renewable energy, generating enough electricity to meet 7.1% of the nation's total electricity demand. By the end of 2018, there were 94 wind farms in Australia, delivering nearly 16 GW of wind generation capacity. The largest wind farm is Coopers Gap Wind Farm in Queensland, which began generating to the grid in June 2019, with a capacity of 453 MW.
Wind energy is generated by converting wind currents into other forms of energy using wind turbines. Wind turbines use the energy of the wind to spin an electric generator, which produces electricity. The effectiveness of this conversion at any given site is commonly measured by its energy density or capacity factor. Modern wind turbines are designed to be as quiet as possible, with an average noise level of 40-50 decibels at around 500m, quieter than a lawnmower or a dishwasher. The height and shape of the blades are designed to maximise the wind each turbine harnesses, and making wind turbines taller exposes them to more wind, increasing electricity production. Each modern turbine converts around 50% of the wind's kinetic energy into electricity.
The Australian Government is working to establish an offshore wind industry, with the Federal Government designating the Bass Strait off Gippsland as Australia's first offshore wind zone in December 2022. Offshore wind farms generate more electricity than onshore wind farms because winds over water are typically stronger and more constant, and they can use larger and more powerful turbines. In March 2024, the Victorian government legislated a target of 2GW of offshore wind power by 2032 and 9GW by 2040.
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Wind's impact on construction in Australia
Australia has some of the best wind resources in the world, with the coastal regions of western and southern Australia experiencing high and relatively constant wind conditions. Wind energy is a major contributor to electricity supply in Australia, with wind power accounting for 13.4% of the country's total electricity production in 2024.
The construction industry in Australia must consider the impact of strong winds on building projects. High winds can pose significant safety risks to construction workers and other staff, as well as cause damage to equipment and structures. Employers and principal contractors must proactively manage these risks to ensure the safety of their workers.
One of the main challenges of strong winds at construction sites is the potential for building collapse. High winds can exert forces on structures that are under construction or demolition, causing them to collapse due to a lack of lateral support. Cranes, which are commonly used at construction sites, are particularly vulnerable to high winds, and operators are instructed to shut down crane operations when wind speeds exceed 35 mph.
To mitigate the risks associated with high winds, construction sites should implement several safety measures. These include regularly monitoring weather conditions, ensuring structures are adequately braced or supported, and properly securing tools, building materials, and temporary structures. Additionally, workers should be trained on what to do during high winds, and the importance of wearing protective gear, such as hard hats and eye protection, should be emphasised.
By following these guidelines and taking the necessary precautions, construction sites in Australia can minimise the impact of strong winds on their projects and help ensure the safety of their workers and the integrity of their structures.
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Frequently asked questions
The windiest areas in Australia are typically coastal regions and mountainous regions. The coastal regions of western and southern Australia lie in the Roaring Forties and have average wind speeds above 8-9 m/s at turbine height. The New South Wales Wind Atlas also 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.
Australia has been divided into four wind regions to help builders, engineers and property owners understand the varying wind speeds and risk factors: Region A ("Normal"), Region B ("Intermediate"), Region C ("Cyclonic") and Region D ("Severe Cyclonic").
The largest wind farm in Australia is the Coopers Gap Wind Farm in Queensland, which began generating to the grid in June 2019 with a capacity of 453 MW.
