Wind power is a major contributor to electricity supply inAustralia. As of September 2024, thegrids of the eastern and southern Australia states has an installed wind capacity of around 13.3 GW,^[1] and output peaked at 9.2 GW in May 2025.^[2] Wind power accounted for 13.4% (or 31.9 TWh) of Australia's total electricity production in 2024.^[3]

The abundant wind resources inAustralia provide for the country to grow its renewable energy sector. The southern coastline lies in theRoaring Forties. Sites have average wind speeds above 8–9 m/s at turbine hub height.^{[citation needed]}

Australian wind farms produce an averagecapacity factor range of 30–35%.^[4]South Australia's large share (along with nearbyVictoria) means most of Australia's current wind power occurs around the same time. On a wider scale, thecorrelation betweenSouth Australia andNew South Wales is around 0.35, while thecorrelation betweenSouth Australia andTasmania is 0.1—0.2. Queensland has near zero (or slightly negative) correlation with the other states,^[5][6] but can be more negative during a week-long wind drought.^[7]

These numbers are lower than the inter-state correlation for solar.^[8] Wind speeds are slightly negatively correlated with electricity demand.^[9]

As of 2025 all of Australia's wind capacity is designated as Onshore wind, however in December 2022, theFederal Government officially designated the Bass Strait offGippsland as Australia's first offshore wind zone. In March 2024 the Victorian government legislated a target of 2GW ofoffshore wind power by 2032 and 9GW by 2040.^[10][11]

As of September 2024, there were 90 operationalwind farms in Australia, totalling 11,420 MW in capacity.^[12]

The largest wind farm isCoopers Gap Wind Farm inQueensland, which began generating to the grid in June 2019, with a capacity of 453 MW.^[13] Most of Australia's wind farms are situated in coastal areas.^{[citation needed]}

By generating capacity, the ten largest wind farms in Australia are:

Australia's first commercial wind farm, Salmon Beach Wind Farm, near Esperanza inWestern Australia, operated for 15 years from 1987 but was decommissioned due to urban encroachment. It has since been replaced byTen Mile Lagoon Wind Farm andNine Mile Beach Wind Farm.^[16]

A full listing of all the wind farms in Australia can be found in theList of wind farms in Australia. Relevant state articles are:

• New South Wales wind power
• Queensland wind farms
• South Australia wind power
• Tasmania wind farms
• Victoria wind farms
• Western Australia wind farms

Installed capacity by state

The following figures are based on capacity and generation as of the end of 2020.^[17] Proposed figures are updated to December 2020.^[18][19][20]

Note that figures may not agree with aggregate figures previously stated, due to different data sources and reporting dates contained within them.

In 2019,South Australia supplied 29.2% of Australia's wind power, fulfilling 41% of the state's electricity requirements. By the end of 2011, wind power generation in South Australia had reached 26%, surpassing coal-fired power for the first time. At that point, despite comprising only 7.2% of Australia's population, South Australia possessed 54% of the country's installed wind capacity.^{[citation needed]}

Victoria also possesses a use of the system. In August 2015, the Victorian government announced financial support for new wind farms as part of an initiative to promote renewable energy within the state. This initiative aimed to expedite the construction of a modest 100 MW of new wind energy, representing a $200 million investment. The government estimated that 2400 MW worth of Victorian projects had been approved but remained unbuilt.^{[citation needed]}

Installed capacity (nameplate) refers to the theoretical maximum capacity of the engineered design under perfect operating conditions. The accepted AEMO rating is the capacity factor rating that accounts for approximately 30 to 35 percent of the installed or nameplate capacity.^{[citation needed]}

Wind developments typically entail substantial upfront capital costs, with comparatively lower operating expenses. Nevertheless, maintenance costs can accumulate over time due to the necessity for periodic replacement of components susceptible to wear.

In contrast, conventional energy sources such as gas and coal demand significant initial capital investments and incur ongoing operating costs for maintenance and fuel. Gas and coal power stations also generally have longer operational lifespans compared to wind turbines. When adequately maintained, coal and gas plants can remain operational for up to three times longer than wind turbines.^{[citation needed]}

Despite these complexities, existing data indicate that wind energy is one of the most cost-efficient renewable energy sources but approximately two times the cost of coal-generated power in 2006.^[23] When thecosts associated with pollution were factored in, it was competitive with coal- and gas-fired power stations. By 2014, wind had the lowestlevelised cost of energy (LCOE) of any power source in Australia,^[24] however, thecost of photovoltaics has since dropped below that.

A 2012 study by SKM on the economic benefits of wind farms in Australia^[25] found that, for every 50 MW in capacity, a wind farm delivered various benefits.

Australia is the fifth highest per capita emitter ofgreenhouse gases with 25.8 tonneCO₂-e per person annually, ranking first of the industrialised countries, and ranks sixteenth of all countries in total country emissions with 495 Mt CO₂-e per annum.^[26] It is one of the major exporters of coal, the burning of which releases CO₂ into the atmosphere. It is also one of the countries most at risk fromclimate change according to theStern report. This is partially because of the size of its agriculture sector and long coastline.

Landscape and heritage issues can be a significant issue for certain wind farms. However, these are minimal when compared with theenvironmental effects of coal. However, when appropriate planning procedures are followed, the heritage and landscape risks should be minimal. People may still object to wind farms, perhaps on the grounds of aesthetics, but their concerns should be weighed against the need to address the threats posed by climate change and the opinions of the broader community.^[23]

Overseas experience has shown that community consultation and direct involvement of the general public in wind farm projects have helped to increase community approval.^[27] Some wind farms become tourist attractions.^[28]

TheGarnaut Climate Change Review, theCarbon Pollution Reduction Scheme and theMandatory Renewable Energy Target announced by the Australian Government involve a reduction in Australiangreenhouse gas emissions.^[29] and wind power would delivergreenhouse gas.

Based on the 2010 figures for electricity production of 5 TWh nationally, it is estimated that wind power saved Australia 5,100,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions in that year. In relative terms, that is calculated to be the equivalent of removing 1,133,000 cars from the nation's roads.^[30]

From 2001 to early 2006, the main driving force for the establishment of wind farms in Australia was the Government'sMandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET).^[31][32] However, by mid-2006, sufficient renewable energy had been installed or was under construction to meet the small MRET target for 2010.

In November 2007, when the Rudd (Labor) government was elected in Australia, it ratified Australia's commitment to theKyoto Protocol, promised a target of 20% renewable power by 2020 and to do more to reduceAustralia's greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, several new wind power projects were proposed in anticipation of an expanded MRET.

In January 2022, construction began on theGoyder South development, which is expected to become one of Australia’s largest wind farms. Run by French firmNeoen, the project expects to be able to provide 209 MW of power generation by 2024, and a similar amount again when construction is complete.^[33]

In south eastQueensland, Australia’s first gigawattscale wind project is in development: the MacIntrye facility (923 MW), majority owned by Spanish energy firmAcciona, and the Karara Wind Farm (103 MW), under CleanCo.^[33]

As of April 2023, some wind projects underway inVictoria is the 756 MW stage one of theGolden Plains development inRokewood.^[33]

• Australian Renewable Energy Agency
• List of large wind farms
• Geothermal power in Australia
• Renewable energy debate

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