Australia eyes 7 GW of wind by 2014

AUSTRALIA - By the end of 2009, more than 1 of Australia's electricity demand was provided by wind power.

Most of the country's windfarms exist in South Australia and Victoria, producing a combined installed capacity nearing 2 gigawatts GW. This is nothing to sneeze at, but countries such as Germany and the United States have installed capacities above 15 GW.

As the largest greenhouse gas-emitting country in the developed world, it is imperative that Australia incorporates more renewable energy-based power projects into its installed capacity. With ample land devoid of impeding terrain and coastlines buffeted by roaring winds, windfarms are an excellent way for the country to generate zero-emissions power.

Australia's wind capacity could more than double by the end of 2012 as at least 35 new wind projects come online, representing more than $5 billion in investments. Many of these projects are small windfarms that will have capacities of less than 100 megawatts MW, or, in some cases, less than 50 MW. So far, 2012 will see more large-scale windfarms come under construction to boost the total installed capacity by another 2.5 GW once completed. These projects, currently representing at least $4.5 billion in renewable energy investments, will see capacity figures reaching more than 200 MW in many cases.

One such windfarm is the Stockyard Hill Windfarm planned for Beaufort, Victoria. South Australia currently leads Victoria in installed wind capacity by about 400 MW, but that could change as investments move to favor Victoria in 2012. The Stockyard Hill Windfarm, which could provide up to 470 MW for the regional grid, is scheduled for completion in 2013. Origin Energy Limited is planning to invest about $900 million in the project. Another large-scale wind project coming online in 2013 in Victoria is RES Australia Propriety Limited's Ararat Pyrenees Wind Farm. The $298 million windfarm is expected to generate about 247 MW when commissioned.