About wind farms

About health and way of life

FAQs about Wind Energy

  • The design of wind turbines is intended to transform wind into mechanical energy through the rotation of turbine blades. This mechanical energy is then converted into electricity using a generator housed in the nacelle, and the generated electricity is subsequently fed directly into the grid.

    Wind turbines are designed to maximise energy output at low wind speeds, and 'depower' as wind speed increases, up to a certain 'cut out speed'. However, the electricity generated by the turbine is proportional to the wind speed cubed, up to their rated wind speed. For example, a wind turbine in 8m/s will generate 8 times as much power as that same turbine in 4m/s.

    This is why it's important to place turbines in locations with consistent high winds to achieve the lowest cost generation for customers. Looking at a wind resource map of Australia, areas with a high average wind speed are tricky to find close to loads.

  • Wind turbines capture wind energy within the area swept by their blades. The blades capture wind like sails of a boat, causing them to spin driving an electrical generator that produces electricity. This electricity is added to the electricity grid and then travels through the transmission and distribution lines to the people that use it in both homes and workplaces, and powers your television or kettle.

  • The standard lifetime of a wind turbine is approximately 20-25 years, with some wind turbines now reaching up to 35 years.

  • Modern onshore wind turbines (or Wind Turbine Generators, WTG) are generally 200- 270m high at the tallest point; the tip. The hub - where the blades connect to the Nacelle which houses the generator and other equipment - typically varies from 90 - 160m. The blades of a wind turbine are typically 40 - 90m.

    During development approvals, projects usually get approval for a large 'envelope' of wind turbine dimensions so at the time of procurement the latest most innovative, and often larger turbine can be used on site. Higher, larger wind turbines can reach higher wind speeds at higher altitudes and can also generate efficiencies for a project through economies of scale for roads, foundations, cables etc.

    Wind turbine dimensions are important to consider when designing the spacing between turbines to minimise wake losses and maximise efficiency. Although wind turbines are delivered to site in multiple parts before assembly, the component dimensions must be considered when planning the transportation route to site due to their large size.

    Although larger, modern wind turbines are designed to reduce acoustic impact.

  • Wind turbines are manufactured by specialised companies, often referred to as ‘Original Equipment Manufacturers’ (OEMs). They are available as ‘off the shelf’ products for purchase by projects. Wind turbine components have some variability. For example, a tower can range between 5-7 sections. The OEM will choose the component number, given the project site’s conditions. CQP’s projects will use premium quality wind turbines provided by leading manufacturers. A competitive tender process run by CQP will ensure the best wind turbine is selected for the project based on their cost and quality. The components for the wind turbines are expected to be imported. Where possible, we will source other materials for the entire wind farm locally.

  • The construction time frame depends on the project size and the number of workers on site. For a 372MW wind farm, a 24 - 30 month time frame is expected. Preparation during the development phase is completed to ensure an efficient construction period reducing the impact on communities.

  • Selecting a wind farm site involves a comprehensive evaluation and balancing process. This process considers various factors to ensure optimal energy production and minimal environmental impact. Some key considerations are:

    • Wind resource assessment and other meteorological conditions

    • Geographical, topographical and waterway considerations

    • Accessibility

    • Land use and zoning

    • Existing environmental values and potential impacts

    • Grid connection

    • Infrastructure and services

    • Social and community values

    • Cultural Heritage

    • Economic viability

    • Regulatory and permitting requirements.

    Such criteria are also taken into account when considering the siting of each element of a wind farm. This includes where the substation is placed within a wind farm, or which way road alignment should go etc. A development phase wind farm design will be conservative in its assumptions, and seek approvals for a broader ‘envelope’, including a micrositing zone. This broader envelope allows for later optimisation, flexibility, and avoidance of unforeseen constraints.

  • Wind turbines utilise advanced technology to reduce the risk of catching fire. The cost of damaging wind farm assets, or damaging host or neighbouring landowner properties has incentivised innovation. Wind turbines utilise a range of measures such as fire detection systems, bunds, sensors and controls, appropriate materials, shutdown, isolation procedures and lightning protection to prevent fires.

    DNV GL, an internationally accredited registrar and classification society, estimates the rate of fire in wind turbines at 1 in 2,000 each year.

  • Like almost anything that moves, wind turbines do create sound. The sound they make can be described as a cyclic whooshing or swishing sound. In most cases, it is possible to carry on a conversation at the base of a wind turbine without having to raise your voice. Noise can vary depending on the shape of the land, the position of the listener and the speed and direction of the wind. Detailed noise studies are undertaken during project development to ensure that noise will not negatively impact on local residents. We are required to meet strict noise requirements which are put in place through the planning process. We also monitor noise to ensure we are meeting our requirements during operation of the wind farm.

  • Wind Farms can alter both close and distant regional views, including popular local tourist destinations such as lookouts. There have been studies done on the relationship between tourism and wind farms using information from overseas and within Australia. One example is ‘Wind Energy and Tourism: Industry impacts and opportunities for ‘wind farm tourism’ by Dr. Barrie Shannon. This study concludes that “stakeholders have significant fears of negative impacts, [but] there is little evidence that they come to be.” In fact, empirical evidence appears to be positive with visitors drawn to the area for reasons including “technology, infrastructure design, pro-environmental causes and curiosity”. Eco-tourism and regenerative tourism opportunities can thrive in communities near wind turbines, especially with added infrastructure like visitor centres, viewing platforms, and recreational trails.

    Source: Dr Barrie Shannon Wind Energy & Tourism

  • Across the globe, there are more than 300,000 installed wind turbines, with a significant number situated in proximity to populated regions (including densely populated areas). Extensive research carried out by prominent health and medical research organisations has found no evidence of the link between wind turbines and adverse health conditions. This research includes publications by:

    • World Health Organisation

    • Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Centre

    • Macquarie University and the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research

    • UK Health Protection Agency- US National Research Council

  • There is no evidence wind turbines will adversely affect domestic animals or livestock. Once accustomed to the new infrastructure, they are often seen rubbing against the turbines and seeking shade under the towers. Wind farm construction and operation co-exists with normal farming operations and stock. Management plans will be put in place to ensure gates, trenches, driving, and operations are all carried out to ensure the ongoing wellbeing of the landowners’ stock.

  • When light shines on rotating wind turbine blades, intermittent shadows, known as shadow flicker may be cast on surrounding areas. In Queensland, the suggested modelling assumptions require wind farm projects to compute the ‘zone of influence of shadows,’ determined by multiplying a distance of 265 meters by the maximum blade chord. No evaluation is necessary for sensitive land uses beyond this zone, as the probability of any shadow flicker impacts caused by the project turbines is considered low.

  • Properly designed and maintained wind farms can protect pre-existing radiocommunications from EMI related impacts and comply with electromagnetic compatibility standards to ensure minimal interference.

    Interference with radiocommunication signals mainly happens from the physical presence of the turbines causing obstruction, diffraction, scattering, or near field effects. This could interfere with a community’s ability to access important mobile or TV services.

    Wind farms must conduct pre and post construction assessments of EMI impacts as part of regulatory requirements. If interference occurs, mitigations, rectifications and solutions are required by the project.

    Wind farms must install high quality and effective communication networks to ensure reliable and accessible communications, especially in the case of an emergency.

  • Wind farms require careful consideration of the necessary changes in operational procedures for aviation operators. Aviation Impact Assessments, including consultation with aircraft operators, are conducted by projects as part of the development approval process. This assessment will identify mitigation measures from the introduction of tall structures into the landscape.

    The frequency of aviation related incidents involving wind farms is extremely low globally. None have been recorded in Australia.

  • In order to fly through a wind farm, a pilot must to give due regard to wind turbines as physical obstacles as well as the hazard created downstream by the wake of the wind turbines. Further questions should be directed to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) or the project team.

  • Wind farms generate traffic through the delivery of personnel, materials, equipment, and turbine components during its construction and operating life. Traffic associated with the operational phase of a wind farm is expected to be minimal (approximately 15 full time employees on site). For wind farm construction this traffic is created in rural areas which have not previously been exposed to this volume. During construction, when most vehicle deliveries are expected, traffic requires careful consideration and management. Proximity of projects to major highway routes is ideal, for preventing unnecessary traffic on and upgrades to local roads.

    The vehicles involved in wind farm construction can include light vehicles, semi-trailers, trucks and special transport vehicles. Once they arrive on site many vehicles will remain within the project area for construction purposes.

    Due to the increased traffic, road upgrades and road use permits, as well as traffic impact assessments must be sought or completed by wind farm projects throughout their lifetime, particularly at the time of development. This is done by the project’s relevant authorities, with consultation from relevant stakeholders.

About the environment

  • Detailed flora and fauna studies are completed during the development phase in order to understand the impact of the project. These surveys are conducted based on guidelines provided by the assessing agency. The outcomes of the ecology field surveys are a key input into the project’s layout and impact avoidance.

  • According to a Clean Energy Council report released last year, around 85% to 94% of a wind turbine’s mass is recyclable. Leading turbine manufacturers are taking steps to increase the sustainability of the sector through a combination of research and demonstration projects with the aim to produce zero. You can view the CEC report here: https://assets.cleanenergycouncil.org.au/documents/Wind-turbine-recycling-report-2023.pdf

  • Around 85-95% of a wind turbine, by weight, is made from materials that can be recycled. Their outer shell, shafts, gearing and electrical components are typically made from steel, copper, aluminium, other precious metals and recyclable plastics. There is minimal oil used for the lubrication of some parts. This oil is contained within appropriate bunds within the shell of the wind turbine structure.

    Wind turbine blades are made from different materials, most of which are fibreglass or carbon fibre. Composite materials, such as thermoset polymers, glass fibre, and carbon fibre, pose greater recycling challenges. These materials are commonly used to manufacture wind turbine blades, as well as the covers for the nacelle and hub.

    The blades have a protective coating called polyurethane based lacquer that is non-toxic and contains negligible amounts of bisphenol A. The blades are specifically designed to have high resistance to weathering so will not emit either dangerous amounts of bisphenol A (BPA) or microplastics into the surrounding environment (including waterways).

  • The Moah Creek Wind Farm is expected to produce enough emissions free power per year equivalent to:

    • Displacing 780,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per annum, or

    • Powering 195,000 homes per annum, or

    • Removing 230,000 Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) cars from the road per annum, or

    • Planting 18 million trees per annum

    During operations, wind farms do not require any fuel, let alone polluting fuels. Fossil fuels are the main source of greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate global warming, putting the health of all living systems at risk. Fossil fuels also cause acid rain by emitting noxious gases, such as nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide. Acid rain impacts local environments, damaging plants and waterways, as well as disintegrating infrastructure such as roofs and fences.

  • Yes, wind farms in Queensland must comply with the Native Vegetation Management Act 1999 (QLD). Furthermore, wind farm developments across all jurisdictions must comply with all relevant state and federal environmental legislation, including the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

  • Soil salinity can be caused by several factors, including clearing of land, which is also known as dryland salinity. Clearing of deep-rooted and perennial vegetation can lead to changes to water table levels, which may increase soil salinity near the surface. Irrigation is another cause of salinity due to the repeated waterlogging of soils and subsequent evaporation leading to a concentration of salts in the upper soil profile.

    Due to the relatively narrow clearing corridors associated with wind farms, the likelihood of soil salinity resulting from a wind farm project is expected to be lower than the broader areas cleared for cropping or similar activities.

    Soil testing is typically completed as part of geotechnical investigations during detailed design of renewable energy projects. This testing will identify the need for any enhancement to ensure that the soils are appropriately stabilised during the life of the project.

About wind turbine end of life

  • 85-90% of a wind turbine can currently be recycled and the industry is working to increase this to 100%

  • 85-90% of a wind turbine can currently be recycled and the industry is working to increase this to 100%.

  • There are s number of key stages when decommissioning a site:

    • Planning of works (including a review of restrictions, limitations, conditions and obligations);

    • Preparatory work (this may include tendering and award of contractors);

    • Dismantling of wind turbines to the top of the foundation;

    • Dismantling of the foundation (where applicable);

    • Dismantling of the infrastructure and balance-of-plant equipment;

    • Proper disposal;

    • Restoration of the original site land; and

    • Acceptance of restored site (where required under obligations etc).

    Dismantling and site restoration is regulated by national legislation. There may be obligations related to the level of removal and restoration in the land agreements and/or planning/permit obligations which must be considered in the decommissioning plan.

About the economy

  • Surrounding landowners who are not part of the project and continue to use their properties for rural purposes should not see an increase in their underlying statutory land value or differential rating category, as a result of the wind farm in their area.

  • Wind farms projects throughout Australia do not rely on government subsidies, but are instead financed through equity and long-term bank loans. Projects often enter into agreements called Purchase Power Agreements (PPA's) with governments or businesses to sell the power produced. This creates a reliable income stream for the project.

  • Wind Farms can alter both close and distant regional views, including popular local tourist destinations such as lookouts. There have been studies done on the relationship between tourism and wind farms using information from overseas and within Australia. One example is ‘Wind Energy and Tourism: Industry impacts and opportunities for ‘wind farm tourism’ by Dr Barrie Shannon. This study concludes that “stakeholders have significant fears of negative impacts, [but] there is little evidence that they come to be.” In fact, empirical evidence appears to be positive with visitors drawn to the area for reasons including “technology, infrastructure design, pro-environmental causes and curiosity”. Eco-tourism and regenerative tourism opportunities can thrive in communities near wind turbines, especially with added infrastructure like visitor centres, viewing platforms, and recreational trails.