Wind energy is one of Australia’s main sources of renewable energy, generating enough electricity to meet 8.5 per cent of the nation’s total electricity demand.
Eight wind farms were commissioned in 2019, adding 837 MW of new generating capacity, which was the highest amount added in the history of the Australian wind industry. At the end of 2019, 30 wind farms with a combined capacity of 5.5 GW were under construction or financially committed nationally.
This energy type is one of the lowest-cost sources of new electricity supply in Australia, along with utility-scale solar PV.
It is the view of ARENA that the cost of utility-scale wind energy in Australia is expected to continue to fall, with new wind farms expected to deliver electricity at around $50-65/MWh in 2020 and below $50/MWh in 2030.
Wind energy planning in Australia is controlled by the States and each jurisdiction has its own planning rules. See the links below for details;
- The Vic Govt Planning Wind Farm Guidelines also contain sample permit conditions. An example can be viewed here:
- NSW Govt Planning Wind Farm requirements can be viewed here:
- SA Govt Planning Wind Farm requirements can be viewed here:
- The Clean Energy Council recommended best practice guidelines for wind farms can be viewed here.
For more details on each use the link below;