Renewable energy resources of New South Wales

Wind
Ballina

REFERENCE
Moree
Wind power generator
capacity (megawatts)
Grafton
100 < 1000
10 < 100 Bourke
1 < 10
less than 1 Coffs Harbour

Armidale
Wind speed
(metres per second)
10.2
Tamworth

6.3 Cobar
Nyngan Port Macquarie

2.4

Topographic Broken Hill

Dubbo
City, town
Highway
State border
Newcastle
Key transmission lines
(kilovolts)

370
Orange
Forbes
66
132
people directly
220 & 330 employed (2014–15)
Sydney

1725*
500

Mildura
Hay Wollongong GWh generated (2015)

Wagga
Wagga
Goulburn
7
major* wind farms
Major project – over 30 MW.
Gullen Range Wind Farm

327
A.C.T. Capacity: 172 MW
Batemans Bay
0 200 km Capital Wind Farm wind turbines
Capacity: 140 MW

650
Albury

MW maximum capacity
Bega

Boco Rock Wind Farm Eden

Capacity: 114 MW

NT
QLD
This map shows modelled onshore and offshore mean annual wind
WA
speed data, and the location and capacity of operating wind farms. SA
The modelled wind speed data has a spatial resolution of 1 km and is
presented at 100 m above the ground. This height is representative of ACT
hub heights used for modern wind turbines. Hub height refers to the VIC
height of a wind turbine, excluding the length of the turbine blades. TAS

www.resourcesandenergy.nsw.gov.au
 Wind energy
What is wind energy?
Wind energy is generated by converting wind currents
into other forms of energy using wind turbines. Wind
turbines convert kinetic energy in the wind into
mechanical power, which can be used for specific tasks
(like pumping water) or converted into electricity using
a generator. Wind energy is currently the cheapest
renewable energy and as a result has experienced
significant growth.
What can wind energy be used for?
Wind energy has been used for centuries for
Taralga Wind Farm (107 MW), all of which have been
commissioned since late 2009.
In 2015, wind energy provided 2.5% of total electricity
generated in NSW (including ACT).
What is the future of wind energy in NSW?
Wind energy is a rapidly growing source of renewable
energy. New wind farms are being constructed in the
New England region, and elsewhere there are a number
of proposed new farms, such as Uungula Wind Farm,
Liverpool Range Wind Farm and Silverton Wind Farm.
NSW has great potential to access offshore wind
resources but there are currently no plans to develop
offshore wind projects.
Glossary
capacity the amount of energy generated for any length
of time. This map indicates capacity as a
megawatt (MW).
commissioned the end of a process whereby a generator
(solar plant or wind farm) prepares to supply
electricity to the grid
energy the ability to do ‘work’ or to ‘make something
happen’. It can exist in different forms, such
as thermal (heat), kinetic, electrical, chemical
and potential (stored). Energy is measured in
joules (J).
direct employment fulltime equivalent of employment hours (FTE)
kinetic energy the energy of an object that is moving
mechanical energy energy associated with movement, or kinetic
Wind Onshore and offshore wind provided by Garrad Hassan Pacific Pty Ltd
(DNV GL) https://www.dnvgl.com/energy
Infographics and figure data sources
Economic Capacity and generation data compiled by NSW Division of
Resources and Energy includes data for Australian Capital Territory (ACT). This
is shown using an asterisk (*).
Note: The capacity data represents maximum capacity where available.
Employment Data derived from Australian Bureau of Statistics 4631.0 –
Employment in Renewable Energy Activities, Australia, 2014–15.
Project data are stored in the DiGS catalogue searchgeoscience.nsw.gov.au
Topographic base
© Land and Property Information, Panorama Avenue, Bathurst NSW 2795.
www.lpi.nsw.gov.au
© State of New South Wales acting through the Department of Industry, Skills
and Regional Development 2016 (Department of Industry). This work (with the
exception of the Government Coat of Arms, any government owned trade-
mark, logo or brand and third party content) is licensed by the Department of
Industry under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To
view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

pumping bore water, milling flour and other direct use
applications. In the 21st century it is commonly used for
electricity generation. Wind farms typically combine
the output of multiple wind turbines to the electricity
grid. Globally there are many onshore and offshore
wind energy projects.
Are there wind resources in NSW?
NSW & ACT electricity generation in wind energy energy combined with potential (stored) energy
megawatt (MW) one MW = one million (1 000 000) watts
2000 Attribution must be given in this form:
spatial resolution measure of the accuracy or detail of an image © State of New South Wales through NSW Department of Industry, Skills and
or data Regional Development 2016.
Disclaimer
1500 transmission the movement of electricity along transmission
lines once it leaves the power station
The information contained in this publication is based on knowledge and
understanding at the time of compilation (2016). However, because of advances
in knowledge, users are reminded of the need to ensure that information upon
watt a measure of the flow rate of electricity,

GWh
NSW has world-class wind resources. The east coast
and areas along the higher exposed parts of the Great
Dividing Range, such as the Southern Highlands and
New England areas, have been identified as some of
Australia’s best areas for wind resources. The best
sites have a combination of high average wind speeds,
consistent winds and smooth landscapes.These sites
are not restricted to coastal regions. Many of the
most suitable sites in NSW are located near existing
which they rely is up to date.
1000 equivalent to one joule of energy per second.
One joule is the internationally recognised unit NSW Department of Industry takes no responsibility for the accuracy, currency,
reliability and correctness of any information in the map (including, without
for measuring energy of all types.
limitation, any of the information provided by third parties) nor for the accuracy,
500 currency, reliability and correctness of links or references to information sources
References (including Internet sites) with regard to the map.
While all reasonable care has been taken in the compilation, to the extent
permitted by law, NSW Department of Industry, Skills and Regional
Australian Renewable Energy Agency 2016. What is renewable energy?
Development and the State of New South Wales and its employees and agents
http://arena.gov.au/about-renewable-energy/ (accessed 11 exclude all liability for the accuracy or completeness of the information, or for
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 February, 2016). any injury, loss, or damage whatsoever (including without limitation liability
for negligence and consequential losses) suffered by any person acting, or
Clean Energy Council 2016. Technologies. https://www.
NSW direct FTE employment in wind energy cleanenergycouncil.org.au/technologies.html (accessed 15
purporting to act in reliance upon anything contained herein.

electricity grid infrastructure.
Due to its long coastline and stable continental shelf,
NSW has the potential for offshore wind power
generation. As technology continues to improve this
could unlock great potential for the state.
Direct FTE jobs
February, 2016). Maitland office: 516 High Street, Maitland, NSW, 2320, Australia.
400 Ph: +61 2 4931 6666
Department of Industry, Skills and Regional Development 2015. NSW Email: geoscience.information@industry.nsw.gov.au
www.resourcesandenergy.nsw.gov.au
Renewable Energy Action Plan Annual Report 2015. Department of
Industry, Skills and Regional Development, Sydney.
300
Geoscience Australia 2016. Other Renewable Energy Resources. http://

www.ga.gov.au/scientific-topics/energy/resources/other-renewable-
How is wind energy used in NSW? energy-resources (accessed 11 February, 2016).
200
There are currently 11 operational wind farms in NSW. Geoscience Australia & Bureau of Resources and Energy Economics 2014.
Australian Energy Resource Assessment (2nd Edition). Geoscience
The largest wind farm is the Gullen Range Wind Farm, Australia, Canberra.
commissioned in December 2014 with a 172 MW 100
Gullen Range Wind Farm Pty Ltd 2016. Gullen Range Wind Farm.
capacity, with the potential to generate enough energy http://www.gullenrangewindfarm.com/ (accessed 15 February, 2016).
for over 60 000 homes. Other wind farms with a
capacity greater than 100 MW include the Capital Wind
Farm (140 MW), Boco Rock Wind Farm (113 MW), and 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 Credits
Bibliographic reference
Wade S.L., Barry C.M. & Nelson M.D. (compilers) 2016. Renewable energy map
of New South Wales: wind resource fact sheet. Geological Survey of New South
Wales, Maitland.
Content compilation
Boco Rock Wind Farm, 30 km north of Bombala. C.M. Barry, S.L. Wade & M.D. Nelson
Map compilation and cartography
S.L. Watson & P.J. Carter
Graphic design and layout
M.C. Cox
Editing
G.M. Cox
With special thanks to the NSW Renewable Energy Map Steering Committee
and Advisory Board.

Data sources
Note: All numbers have been rounded to whole numbers or one decimal point
where possible.
Generator capacity data Compiled by NSW Division of Resources and Energy
from Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) Current Registration and
Exemption lists where available and various company data sources.
Note: The resource maps show call outs for large renewable energy generators
with greater than 30 MW capacity. These are maximum capacity values as listed
Photo courtesy of CWP Renewables. by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) registration list 11 April 2016.
www.resourcesandenergy.nsw.gov.au