Written by
Cooper Geyer
Published
12 June 2023
Australia’s transition towards clean and renewable energy sources has seen remarkable progress in recent years, with wind power emerging as a significant contributor to the nation’s clean energy transformation. In this blog post, we explore the growth of wind energy in Australia, highlighting major projects, notable achievements, and the promising future prospects. As CDI Experts, we have worked on many renewable developments and provide insights into Australia’s wind energy landscape.
Australia’s Wind Energy Landscape
Wind power has emerged as the leading contributor to Australia’s clean energy revolution, accounting for 35.6% of renewable power generation in 2022, second only to the combined contribution of rooftop and utility-scale solar. This growth is evident as wind power’s share in Australia’s total energy mix increased from 9.9% in 2020 to an impressive 12.8% in 2022. These figures demonstrate the pivotal role that wind energy plays in the country’s renewable energy sector.
Major Wind Farm Projects
Australia boasts numerous significant wind energy projects, each making substantial contributions to the nation’s renewable energy goals. Among the notable projects, the Stockyard Hill Wind Farm in Victoria stands out with a capacity of 532 MW, followed by the Coopers Gap Wind Farm in Queensland with 453 MW. Other noteworthy projects include the Macarthur Wind Farm (420 MW) in Victoria, the Dundonnell Wind Farm (336 MW) in Victoria, and the recently operational Moorabool Wind Farm (312 MW) also located in Victoria, that CDI Experts were involved in, providing Delay Analysis & Expert Reports. Learn more here.
5 largest wind farms in Australia by capacity (MW)
Promising Developments
The prospects for wind energy in Australia continue to shine, with various projects in advanced stages of development. Notably, the Goyder South wind farm, being constructed by French firm Neoen in South Australia, is set to become one of Australia’s largest onshore wind farms. Its first phase, expected to be operational by 2024, will generate 209 MW of power, with future stages contributing a similar amount. Additionally, Acciona is spearheading Australia’s first gigawatt-scale wind project in Queensland, encompassing the MacIntyre and Karara wind farms, together delivering a remarkable 923 MW of clean electricity.
Offshore Wind Potential
Australia’s offshore wind sector is also gaining traction, driven by the passing of the Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act in June 2022. The Star of the South project, with a capacity of 2.2 GW, remains the most advanced offshore wind project in Australia. Moreover, there are over 50 GW worth of announced offshore wind projects, indicating substantial interest and potential growth in the sector. With the abundance of wind resources along its vast coastline, including the potential of areas like Bass Strait, Australia stands as a prime destination for offshore wind investments.
Percentage of wind generation by state
Government Support and Initiatives
The Australian government, in collaboration with state governments, is committed to supporting wind power and driving its growth. Initiatives such as the National Energy Transformation Partnership and the development of Renewable Energy Zones (REZ) provide a conducive environment for wind energy projects. These REZs, strategically located in areas with significant clean energy potential, aim to facilitate the generation, storage, and transmission of renewable power. The government’s Rewiring the Nation scheme, offering low-cost finance for grid expansion and modernisation, further strengthens the infrastructure support for wind power development.
Some of CDI’s Past Wind Projects
As CDI Experts, we have actively participated in key wind projects across Australia, bringing our expertise and dedication to ensure their success. Below are a few of our notable contributions.
Australia’s wind energy sector is undergoing an impressive transformation, making substantial contributions to the nation’s clean energy goals. With major wind farms already operational and numerous projects in advanced stages of development, the future of wind energy in Australia looks promising. As CDI Experts, we are excited to witness this growth and remain committed to driving the transition towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy landscape in Australia.
References:
- Clean Energy Council. Clean Energy Australia Report 2022.
- Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Australian Energy Statistics 2021 data.
- Geoscience Australia.
- EY Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Index 2022 (RECAI 60).
- 2022 Integrated System Plan for the National Electricity Market. Australian Energy Market Operator.
