Wind Power Sweeps Across Australia

If there is one constant weather phenomenon on Earth, it is wind. From gentle zephyrs to mighty gusts, every location on the planet experiences wind, and many nations are turning to wind power to provide a limitless, renewable energy source. Australia is one such country.

Though Europe and North America are the trailblazers in the utilization of wind power, Australia (enjoying the unique position as both a country and a continent) has taken strides in the appropriation of wind power to supply electricity. As recently as the close of 2008, Australia's electricity generating capacity due to wind power was 1,300 megawatts and accounted for 1.3% of the country's demand. Like several European nations, Australia's government has committed to the Kyoto Protocol, asking that 20% of the country's power be generated from renewable energy sources by 2020.
In relative terms, Australia has some catching up to do in the wind power department. Last summer, the country's more than 750 wind turbines maintained a wind power generation capacity of 1.5 gigawatts. Compared to Germany's 22 GW, the US's 16 GW, and Spain's 15 GW, there is much ground to make up.

This should not prove problematic, as Australia's wind power capacity is one of the best in the world. The southern coast of the continent lies in what sailors have dubbed the Roaring Forties. This is an area between 40°S and 50°S latitude. These westerly winds are able to maintain a healthy and constant speed that is unimpeded by much land mass. Additionally, New South Wales has several areas of higher elevation, lending itself to adequate wind power capacity.

In fact, Australia's largest wind farm was given the go-ahead to begin construction in New South Wales last summer. Located near Broken Hill, nearly 600 turbines are aimed at producing enough electricity to power over 400,000 homes. The outback of New South Wales is an ideal location due to its wind-swept plains and low population density. Wind farms and the accompanying turbines of this magnitude are not small, so it was important that an isolated town such as Broken Hill be chosen as the locale to prevent potential objections from residents.

Though there are more than 50 wind farms in Australia and they are highly efficient due to sufficient wind, the government has yet to fully model how wind power meets day-to-day and yearly electricity demands. As Australia rises to meet the challenge of the Kyoto Protocol, it is sure to continue model and monitor the renewable energy provided by wind power.

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