Wind energy records were broken in four states in August, according to new figures, as the Coalition gears up to place the wind power industry under greater scrutiny should it win power on Saturday.
The Clean Energy Council said that the amount of power produced by Australia’s wind farms in August was enough to power Sydney Opera House for the next 57 years.
South Australia, which has led the way in wind energy, was again the frontrunner, deriving 38% of its power from the wind last month, well above its previous record of 31%.
Tasmania, at 11%, Victoria, at 7.9%, and NSW, at 1.8%, also broke their respective state records for share of power derived from wind during August.
The total of 1,024 gigawatt hours generated by wind farms was enough to make more than 6bn toasted sandwiches, according to the Clean Energy Council.
“Australia’s renewable energy target is supporting projects that generate jobs and investment, as well as clean energy,” said Russell Marsh, policy director at the council.
“The new Macarthur wind farm in western Victoria is the largest in the southern hemisphere and provided a huge clean energy boost over the last month.
“While New South Wales is behind some of the other states when it comes to wind power, it still enjoyed a record month and has massive potential to reap the job and investment benefits from encouraging clean energy,” Marsh said.
The wind industry is set to come under the microscope should the Coalition win the election. This week, the opposition’s energy spokesman, Ian Macfarlane, said that there would be an investigation into the health impacts of wind farms.
The Coalition also wants to compel wind farms to produce “real time” monitoring of wind turbine noise in response to claims, which aren’t backed by scientific evidence, that turbines are harmful to human health.
The wind industry claims that the requirements would place “crippling” costs upon it. Various state laws have already hit wind farms, with Victoria banning the construction of a turbine within 2km of a residential dwelling.