Leslie Massey
Wind energy is a significant source of renewable energy in Australia, accounting for around 35% of renewables as of 2022. As of September 2024, there were 90 operational wind farms in Australia, with the largest being Coopers Gap Wind Farm in Queensland. However, Victoria has the largest number of wind farms, with 45 wind farms (operating and under construction). South Australia is also a leader in wind energy, generating 6.3 thousand gigawatt hours of electricity from wind power. With abundant wind resources and vast coastlines, Australia has the potential to become a wind superpower.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| State with the most wind turbines | Victoria |
| Number of wind farms in the state with the most wind turbines | 45 |
| Total number of wind farms in Australia | 90 |
| Total wind capacity in Australia | 13.3 GW |
| Peak wind output in Australia | 9.2 GW |
| Wind power's contribution to Australia's total electricity production in 2024 | 13.4% (or 31.9 TWh) |
| Wind power's contribution to Australia's total electricity demands met | 35.9% |
| State with the second-highest wind power generation | South Australia |
| Number of wind farms in South Australia | 21 |
| Number of wind farms in NSW | 19 |
| Number of wind farms in WA | 20 |
| Number of wind farms in Tasmania | 10 |
| Number of wind farms in Queensland | 5 |
| Largest wind farm in Australia | Coopers Gap Wind Farm in Queensland |
| Wind farm with the highest generation capacity | Coopers Gap Wind Farm in Queensland (453 MW) |
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What You'll Learn
Victoria has the most wind farms
Wind farms are areas where multiple wind turbines are grouped together to maximise wind collection and electricity generation. Wind power is one of the biggest sources of renewable energy in Australia, accounting for around 35% of renewables as of 2022. It is also one of the most affordable electricity sources, with costs comparable to coal and gas power when backed up with storage.
Victoria's leadership in wind energy is part of a broader trend in the state towards renewable energy sources. The Victorian government has legislated ambitious targets for offshore wind power, aiming for 2GW of capacity by 2032 and 9GW by 2040. The state has also established a consistent development assessment process for new wind farm proposals, ensuring that projects are appropriately located, sited, designed, and operated.
Victoria's wind farms benefit from the state's favourable wind conditions, particularly along its coastline. The southern coastline lies in the Roaring Forties, a region known for its strong winds. Additionally, Victoria has a shorter setback distance for wind turbines compared to other states, with a distance of 1km, which allows for more efficient wind energy collection.
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Queensland has the largest wind farm
Queensland is set to host one of the world's largest wind farms, with the state aiming to reach 80% renewable energy by 2035. The Herries Range wind farm, a $2 billion project by Spanish renewables company Acciona Energia, will be located near Warwick, west of Brisbane. The wind farm will feature 180 turbines, generating 1000 megawatts of power, enough to power approximately 279,000 average Australian homes.
Currently, the largest wind farm in Australia is also in Queensland. The Coopers Gap Wind Farm, located 250 km northwest of Brisbane, began generating power in June 2019 and has a capacity of 453 megawatts. The wind farm, developed by Tilt Renewables, consists of up to 123 turbines and produces around 1,510,000 megawatt-hours of renewable energy.
Queensland is not the only state with ambitious wind farm projects. Victoria has legislated targets for offshore wind power, aiming for 2GW by 2032 and 9GW by 2040. Additionally, the Goyder South development in South Australia is expected to become one of Australia's largest wind farms, providing 209 megawatts of power generation by 2024.
As of 2023, there are over 300 wind farm projects in operation, under construction, or proposed in Australia. Wind power is a significant contributor to the country's electricity supply, with abundant wind resources along the southern coastline. It is one of the biggest sources of renewable energy in Australia, accounting for around 35% of renewables as of 2022.
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South Australia supplies the most wind power
South Australia is a frontrunner in wind energy generation in the country. In 2019, the state supplied 29.2% of Australia's wind power, meeting 41% of its electricity requirements. By the end of 2011, wind power generation in South Australia had surpassed coal-fired power for the first time, reaching 26%. As of 2023, South Australia generates approximately 6.3 thousand gigawatt-hours of electricity from wind energy. The state has 21 operational wind farms with a generation capacity higher than 1MW.
South Australia's large share of wind power means that most of Australia's current wind power is generated around the same time as in the nearby state of Victoria. The two states combined account for most of the wind power in the country.
Wind energy is one of Australia's main sources of renewable energy, contributing a substantial 31.8 thousand gigawatt-hours of electricity across the nation as of 2023. It is also one of the most affordable electricity sources in the country. Wind power accounted for 13.4% (or 31.9 TWh) of Australia's total electricity production in 2024.
There are more than 300 wind farm projects in operation or under construction across Australia, with seven new wind farms commissioned in 2023. As of September 2024, there were 90 operational wind farms in Australia, totalling 11,420 MW in capacity. The largest wind farm is Coopers Gap Wind Farm in Queensland, which began generating for the grid in June 2019, with a capacity of 453 MW.
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Western Australia had the first commercial wind farm
Australia has been harnessing wind power for electricity generation since 1987, when the country's first commercial wind farm was built in Western Australia. The Salmon Beach Wind Farm, near Esperance in Western Australia, operated for 15 years from 1987 but was eventually decommissioned due to urban encroachment. The wind farm featured six turbines and was replaced by the Ten Mile Lagoon Wind Farm and Nine Mile Beach Wind Farm.
Western Australia is in an ideal location to harness wind energy due to its vast stretches of coastline and abundance of windy conditions. The state has a growing number of renewable energy projects, including wind power. For instance, the Kalbarri microgrid was commissioned in 2021 as a joint initiative between several organisations and the Kalbarri community. The project provides an alternative and renewable energy supply to Kalbarri if the connection to the main grid is lost.
As of 2024, there are more than 300 wind farm projects in operation or under construction across Australia. Wind power is one of the biggest sources of renewable energy in the country, accounting for around 35% of renewables as of 2022. In 2024, wind power accounted for 13.4% of Australia's total electricity production.
Victoria has the largest number of wind farms, with 45 wind farms in operation or under construction. However, South Australia contributes the most wind power to the country, fulfilling 41% of the state's electricity requirements.
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Tasmania has 10 operational wind farms
Tasmania is home to 10 operational wind farms, with a generation capacity of over 1MW. The island state has been identified as one of the best spots in the world for wind farms due to its mountainous ranges and abundant wind resources. The wind farms in Tasmania have attracted global interest, with many turbines having some form of Chinese ownership.
One of the well-known wind farms in Tasmania is the Cattle Hill Wind Farm, which is Chinese-owned and located in central Tasmania. It came online with 48 turbines. Another notable wind farm project in Tasmania is the Robbins Island and Jim's Plain Wind Farm, developed by ACEN Australia. This project involves the construction of a new 220 kV double-circuit overhead transmission line to carry renewable energy from the wind farms to the network near Hampshire, located 30 km outside of Burnie.
The development of wind farms in Tasmania has raised concerns about foreign ownership laws and the potential excess of energy generation. The state already generates the majority of its power from hydro-electricity, and the additional wind energy has led to Hydro Tasmania scaling back its hydro-electric dam operations. Despite these concerns, wind farms in Tasmania have contributed significantly to renewable energy generation in the state, with wind power accounting for 37% of the state's power at one point in March.
Tasmania's wind farms are strategically important for the state's energy infrastructure and support the transition towards a clean energy future. The development of wind farms in Tasmania showcases the state's commitment to harnessing renewable energy sources and contributing to Australia's growing renewable energy sector.
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Frequently asked questions
Victoria has the largest number of wind farms, with 45 wind farms (operating and being constructed) with a generation capacity higher than 1MW.
South Australia is a close second, with 21 operational wind farms with a generation capacity higher than 1MW.
The largest wind farm is Cooper's Gap Wind Farm in Queensland, which began generating for the grid in June 2019, with a capacity of 453 MW.
Wind power accounted for 13.4% (or 31.9 TWh) of Australia's total electricity production in 2024.
Wind energy is one of Australia's biggest renewable energy resources. It does not emit toxic substances or contaminants or generate waste, and it has one of the lowest water-consumption footprints.
