Large-scale renewable energy projects are booming in Australia, with GEM currently listing over 1000 projects across the country as of 11 May 2021. In 2020, the reported more than a quarter of Australia’s total electricity generation came from renewable sources. According to their Project Tracker, in 2021, wind, solar, and bioenergy projects are set to deliver over AU$18.6 billion in capital costs, 10 395 megawatts (MW) of new renewable energy capacity, and 13 502 direct jobs.

As the leading source of clean energy in Australia, the wind sector accounted for 35.9 per cent of the country’s total renewable energy generation in 2020. However, the Global Wind Energy Council has indicated that the world needs to install new wind power capacity three times faster over the next decade if we are to achieve global climate targets.

At this critical moment in time, the federal government has promised to allocate AU$539.2 million towards new ‘clean’ energy projects. The May 2021 budget will dedicate funds towards the development of four more hydrogen production hubs in regional areas and carbon capture and storage projects in an attempt to reduce fossil fuel emissions.

With the significance of renewable energy in mind, here are four major wind farm projects in Australia to keep an eye on in 2021.

Macintyre Wind Farm, Queensland

All values as of 27 April 2021.

Fifty kilometres southwest of Warwick, in Queensland, ACCIONA’s Macintyre Wind Farm is one of the largest onshore wind farms in the world today. Developed in partnership with CleanCo, this 1026 MW wind power complex will have up to 180 turbines and see an investment of approximately AU$1 billion.

The Macintyre Wind Farm is expected to generate enough electricity to supply around 700 000 Queensland homes and to provide significant economic activity across the Goondiwindi, Southern Downs, and Toowoomba Regional Council areas.

Liverpool Range Wind Farm, New South Wales

All values as of 27 April 2021.

Located 370 km northwest of Sydney, in the Upper Hunter Region of New South Wales, the Liverpool Range Wind Farm was acquired by Tilt Renewables from Epuron in early 2019. The 960 MW wind project will host up to 217 wind turbines and will generate enough energy to power nearly 500 000 homes.

GEM lists Tilt Renewables as having six wind farms in development in Australia and New Zealand, making it a leader in NSW’s bid to reach a net-zero carbon target by 2030.

Star of the South, Victoria

All values as of 27 April 2021.

Proposed to be located off the south coast of Gippsland, Victoria, the Star of the South is Australia’s first offshore wind project. This 2000 MW wind project will include 250 turbines and will reportedly create around 8000 direct and indirect jobs in Victoria over its lifetime.

In addition, the Star of the South would produce 18% of Victoria’s electricity needs, enough power to service 1.2 million homes.

WA Offshore Windfarm Project, Western Australia

All values as of 27 April 2021.

Located approximately 5.5 km off the coast of Western Australia, around 140 km south of Perth, the WA Offshore Windfarm Project is an AU$1 billion project set to begin construction in 2025. Comprising up to 37 offshore wind turbine generators, the wind farm will have a generation capacity of up to 300 megawatts, enough to power more than 200 000 Western Australian homes.

The project is being developed by WA Offshore Windfarm Pty Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of UK-based Australis Energy Ltd.

As our attention continues to shift towards reducing global carbon emissions, trust GEM to offer key insights into renewable energy, future mines, and oil and gas projects around the world.

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