Australia has potential to be world wind leader

We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later.

Advertisement

This was published 6 years ago

Australia has potential to be world wind leader

By Cole Latimer

Australia can lead the world in wind power, but a lack of direction in policy has hampered its growth, according to the Australian Wind Alliance.

A new report by the University of Technology, Sydney’s Institute for Sustainable Futures said Australia’s potential onshore wind resources could power the nation 12 times over, but only accounts for six per centof current energy generation.

Australia's use of wind power is underutilised, a new report says.

Australia's use of wind power is underutilised, a new report says.

“The extent of wind resources is massive,” Australian Wind Alliance national co-ordinator Andrew Bray told Fairfax Media.

Australia is leading the world in terms of wind power efficiency, with the total turbines capacity factor – or its ability to run at full power– at 33 per cent for the year, compared to the global average of 23 per cent.

“This means a wind turbine in Australia, on average, will generate 142-megawatt hours for every 100-megawatt hours generated by an average wind turbine worldwide,” the report said.

It forecast that French firm Neoen’s Hornsdale wind farm in South Australia, which is supported by the Tesla battery array, could even achieve a capacity factor of 49 per cent.

The US has a capacity factor of 31 per cent.

However, Australia lags well behind the rest of the world in terms of installed capacity, coming 17th globally.

It has the equivalent of one 2 megawatt turbine for every 11,000 Australians, compared to one turbine per 7,800 people in the US or 3,000 people in Germany.

Advertisement

“The amount of space we have here is underutilised,” Mr Bray said.

Loading

The report found Australia could install up to 879 gigawatts of onshore wind power in the eastern states alone, generating 2532-terawatt hours of energy– twelve times Australia’s current 212-terawatt hours usage levels.

Wind turbines are also increasing in size.

The Australian Wind Alliance forecasts that these turbines could soon be as large as the Eiffel Tower, at 300 metres in height. The largest turbines are currently 220 metres tall.

Australia is also seeing potential growth in offshore wind farms.

Offshore Energy recently joined with Danish fund management group Copenhagen Infrastructure Partnership to develop its 2000-megawatt Star of the South offshore wind farm.

“Star of the South is making offshore wind a real possibility in Australia,” Mr Bray said.

He said the key to achieving growth in wind generation is strong national policy.

“We need clarity around our energy system going forward so companies can get on board and invest with it,” he said.

“It’s very disappointing the government took the nation back to the drawing board [with the National Energy Guarantee].”

Most Viewed in Business

Loading