The Wire

Wind farming is the fastest growing energy sector in the world – but not in Australia. Last week the Victorian government announced it’s approval of the largest wind farm in the Southern hemisphere. Situated at Macarthur in the states west, the $600 million project involving 183 turbines, creating up to 329 megawatts of energy will generate enough power to supply almost 190,000 homes every year. And according to the New South Wales department of Department of Energy, Utilities and Sustainability, the premier state has the potential to produce an estimated 1000 megawatts of wind energy per year. This would prevent the release of over 2000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per annum. Within New South Wales, six projects currently have government approval but only two were erected this year. The Wire looks at why some states are powering ahead in the clean energy stakes, while others are being left behind.