- Wind energy is one of the fastest-growing renewable energy sectors globally, which is welcomed news because its importance cannot be overstated. It offers a clean, renewable, and abundant source of power that can help mitigate the severe impacts of climate change.
- In this article, we explore the need for wind energy, its current landscape in Australia, the benefits and future potential and ACCIONA's pivotal role in this sector.
The Need for Wind Energy
The world's heavy reliance on fossil fuels has significant negative consequences — climate change, air pollution, and the depletion of finite natural resources. There are also serious concerns around energy security and price volatility as fossil fuel supplies diminish.
Wind energy addresses these challenges directly. It reduces greenhouse gas emissions, creates green jobs, and enhances energy security by drawing on an unlimited resource: the wind.
Wind Energy in Australia
Australia has embraced wind energy, recognising its potential to achieve climate targets and improve energy security. Government support has driven substantial investment in the sector, and public attitudes have been predominantly positive — with increasing recognition of wind power's benefits encouraging further energy company commitment to renewables.
Transitioning from legacy non-renewable energy systems to wind power does present challenges — integrating wind into the existing grid, ensuring consistent supply, and addressing community concerns about visual impact. Nonetheless, Australia's potential for wind energy expansion remains vast.
The Future of Wind Energy in Australia
Australia's geography, favourable wind conditions, and growing investment environment provide a strong foundation for wind energy expansion. With continued support from government, business, and consumers — through policy backing, technological innovation, and purchasing choices — Australia's wind energy future is promising.
ACCIONA Energía's Wind Power Projects
ACCIONA Energía has been active in wind power for over 30 years, installing more than 12GW (as of 31/03/2023) of renewable energy output across 20 countries. The company has pioneered in-house wind turbine technology through ACCIONA Windpower, integrating with German company Nordex in 2016 to further strengthen its position in the global market.
ACCIONA Energía takes a distinctive approach to project development — building, owning, and operating projects for their full lifetime. This means the company is embedded in local communities for the long term, not just during construction.
Wind turbines typically have a lifespan of 25–30 years. Rapid advances in wind technology continue to produce more efficient and longer-lasting turbines. Some examples of ACCIONA Energía's Australian projects include:
The Mt Gellibrand Wind Farm in Victoria commenced operation in 2018, generating 132MW of clean energy — enough to power around 90,000 homes. It showcases ACCIONA's approach to constructing wind turbine foundations and assembling turbines in Australian conditions.
More recently, ACCIONA Energía is constructing the MacIntyre Wind Farm Precinct in south-east Queensland — one of the largest onshore wind farms in the Southern Hemisphere, with a capacity of 1,000MW of clean energy once operational.
With committed developers like ACCIONA Energía leading the charge, the future of wind energy in Australia is not only promising — it's well underway.
To learn more about the impact of wind energy on Australia's energy landscape, click here.