Offshore wind energy is poised to become a significant contributor to Australia’s renewable energy portfolio.
The nation boasts an estimated technical wind resource capacity exceeding 4,000 gigawatts (GW), far surpassing current energy demands. Recognising this potential, the Australian government has designated six offshore wind zones, including Illawarra, Hunter, and Gippsland. If fully developed, these zones could contribute up to 75.4 GW of capacity – more than doubling the country’s existing installed generation of 62.1 GW.
Despite the promise of offshore wind, misconceptions persist about its cost, reliability, environmental impact, and economic benefits. A closer look at the data reveals a different picture – one that highlights offshore wind as a viable and essential part of Australia’s sustainable energy future.
Myth #1: Wind energy is bad for jobs and economic growth
Some believe that wind energy does not contribute meaningfully to jobs and economic growth. However, research shows that Australia’s offshore wind sector has the potential to create thousands of high-paying, skilled jobs, particularly in regions historically reliant on heavy industry, such as Gippsland in Victoria, the Hunter and Illawarra regions in New South Wales, and Burnie in Tasmania.
According to the 2024 Integrated System Plan (ISP) by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), the transition to renewable energy – including wind – is expected to generate over 60,000 jobs across National Electricity Market (NEM) regions over the next two decades. Offshore wind projects require skilled workers for construction, maintenance, and operation, while also stimulating supply chain industries such as steel manufacturing, electrical engineering, and port logistics.
Although fossil fuel workers – particularly in mining – currently earn more, this trend is expected to shift as coal-fired power plants retire and investment in renewables grows. The renewable energy sector already offers strong earning potential, with average salaries of over AUD $128,000 per year, entry-level positions starting at nearly AUD $95,000, and experienced workers earning more than AUD $200,000. The transition to offshore wind is not only generating demand for hands-on technical roles but also opening pathways for workers moving into management and strategy-focused positions. These jobs provide long-term stability and competitive wages, ensuring that workers across various skill levels benefit from the shift to renewables.
The economic benefits of offshore wind are already becoming evident. The Star of the South offshore wind project in Victoria is expected to create 2,000 jobs over its 30-year lifespan, including 200 ongoing local roles, and $8.7 billion into the Victorian economy. The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) estimates that offshore wind projects could generate between 3,000 and 8,000 jobs per year in total, supporting regional economies and providing long-term employment opportunities.
Unlike fossil fuel jobs, which face long-term decline, offshore wind offers a sustainable employment pathway. Many skills in coal-fired power plants and traditional heavy industries are transferable to offshore wind, with upskilling programs and training initiatives already in place to support workers in making the transition.
Beyond job creation, offshore wind investment helps reduce Australia’s reliance on imported fossil fuels, stabilising electricity prices and improving energy security. AEMO’s ISP confirms that firmed renewables – including wind – offer the lowest-cost solution for replacing retiring coal-fired power stations while maintaining economic resilience.
Myth #2: Offshore wind power is too expensive
Offshore wind farms require a significant upfront investment, particularly in the early stages of deployment. However, this does not mean they are prohibitively expensive in the long run.
According to the GenCost 2024-25 draft report, the capital cost of fixed-bottom offshore wind in Australia is projected at approximately AUD $6,273 per kilowatt (kW) in 2024-25. Floating offshore wind remains more costly at around AUD $8,542/kW, though costs are expected to decline as more projects are built.
One way to assess long-term affordability is the levelised cost of electricity (LCOE), which measures the cost per megawatt-hour (MWh) over a project’s lifetime. By 2030, the LCOE for fixed-bottom offshore wind is estimated at AUD $83–131/MWh, and by 2040, it may drop further to AUD $70–104/MWh. In comparison, onshore wind is projected to cost AUD $58–91/MWh, large-scale solar PV AUD $41–65/MWh, and gas combined cycle generation AUD $119–170/MWh in 2030. Small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) are expected to be more expensive, with an LCOE of AUD $141–225/MWh by 2030.
Offshore wind costs have been declining globally. Capital costs for offshore wind have already decreased by 50% since 2010, with industry forecasts predicting a further 30% reduction by 2035. As more projects come online, supply chains improve, and technology advances, costs are expected to decrease further. Australia’s offshore wind industry is still in its early stages, but as local expertise and infrastructure develop, costs are likely to follow the global trend of gradual reductions.
Myth #3: Wind energy is unreliable
Wind speeds vary, but this does not mean offshore wind is an unreliable energy source. One key measure of reliability in power generation is the capacity factor – the percentage of time a power source generates electricity relative to its maximum potential.
Offshore wind has a significantly higher capacity factor than many other renewable sources. Fixed-bottom offshore wind in Australia is projected to have a capacity factor of 45–55%, while floating offshore wind could reach 50–60%. This means offshore wind turbines generate electricity for more than half of the time, which is higher than solar, which typically operates at 18–27% capacity.
Integration with energy storage and modern grid management also enhances reliability. While some argue that renewables require expensive backup systems, studies show that incorporating a mix of storage options – such as pumped hydro alongside battery storage – significantly reduces costs and improves grid stability. Research indicates that excluding pumped hydro from storage solutions increases costs by 35%, reinforcing the importance of a well-integrated system.
No single energy source operates at full capacity 100% of the time – not even coal or nuclear. Australia’s historical average capacity factor for coal plants is around 60%, meaning coal plants also experience downtime due to maintenance or market conditions. Offshore wind, combined with energy storage and improved grid management, can contribute to a stable power supply.
Myth #4: Wind turbines have a high carbon footprint and generate unsustainable waste
On a full lifecycle basis, wind energy has significantly lower carbon emissions than fossil fuels. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), both offshore and onshore wind turbines produce approximately 13 grams of CO₂-equivalent per kilowatt-hour (kWh) over their lifespans. In comparison, natural gas emits around 486 g CO₂-eq per kWh, and coal generates approximately 1001 g CO₂-eq per kWh.
While turbine manufacturing and transportation contribute to emissions, these are quickly offset once the turbines begin generating power. Manufacturing accounts for roughly 2.41% of total emissions, and once operational, wind turbines produce clean, emissions-free electricity for decades.
In terms of waste, around 85% of a wind turbine’s mass – including towers, gearboxes, and generators – is made of recyclable metals. Turbine blades, which are primarily composite materials, present more of a recycling challenge, but new solutions are emerging. The Australian Government awarded a $3 million grant in 2023 for research into recycling wind turbine blades, with the goal of developing effective processing treatments.
A 2023 Clean Energy Council report indicated that decommissioned wind turbines could contribute about 47,000 tonnes of scrap metal to Australia’s waste stream – less than 1% of the total scrap metal recycled annually. For comparison, global annual waste from coal ash is projected to be roughly 45,550 million metric tons by 2050, far exceeding wind turbine waste.
Myth #5: Wind turbines take up too much land
A common concern is that wind farms occupy excessive land, reducing space for agriculture and impacting rural communities. However, the actual land footprint of wind turbines is minimal, with most of the land remaining available for agricultural use.
While wind farms may cover large areas, only about 1% of that land is occupied by turbine towers and access roads. The remaining 99% can still be used for activities like grazing or cropping. Many Australian farmers continue their agricultural operations while benefiting from additional income generated by leasing land for wind farms.
Transitioning to 100% renewable electricity in Australia – including wind and solar – would require about 1,200 square kilometres of land, significantly smaller than the 4.2 million square kilometres currently used for agriculture. The area permanently removed from farming is about 45 square metres per person, roughly the size of a large living room.
Concerns about transmission infrastructure taking up land have also been raised. However, the 10,000 kilometres of new transmission lines required for the energy transition equates to just 37 centimetres per person when spread across the country, making the impact negligible.
Rather than taking land away, wind energy provides long-term financial benefits to landowners. Unlike mining, which can extract resources without landowner consent, wind developers must negotiate lease agreements, ensuring farmers are compensated for the use of their land.
Myth #6: Wind turbines are a major threat to wildlife
There are concerns that wind turbines harm bird and marine life. While wind turbines do contribute to bird fatalities, they account for far fewer deaths than other human activities.
In Australia, ecologists monitoring wind farms estimate that each turbine kills one to two birds per year on average, though this varies by location. Studies from the United States show that domestic cats kill around 2.4 billion birds annually, building glass collisions account for 599 million deaths, and electrical lines cause approximately 25.5 million bird fatalities per year. In contrast, wind turbines are responsible for only 234,000 bird deaths per year in the U.S.
Claims that offshore wind farms will cause mass whale deaths have been widely circulated but lack scientific backing. A Facebook post from an anti-wind farm group in the Illawarra referenced a supposed University of Tasmania study predicting that offshore wind turbines “could kill up to 400 whales per year.” However, this study does not exist. Professor Quentin Hanich, editor-in-chief of Marine Policy, confirmed that no such paper had ever been published.
Similarly, false reports have linked offshore wind farms to whale strandings on the U.S. East Coast. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has repeatedly debunked these claims, stating that there is no scientific evidence linking offshore wind farms to whale mortality.
Wind energy developments are subject to strict environmental regulations to minimise their impact on wildlife. Developers use sensitivity mapping and mitigation strategies to avoid placing wind farms in areas with high concentrations of vulnerable species. Research indicates that birds tend to avoid wind farms when possible, reducing the risk of collisions.
Compared to fossil fuel industries, wind energy has a much smaller impact on wildlife. Coal mining, oil spills, and habitat destruction pose far greater long-term threats to bird and marine populations than wind energy ever will. In reality, wind power helps protect ecosystems by reducing carbon emissions, which is essential for safeguarding habitats and species.
Myth #7: Wind turbines destroy nearby property values
There are concerns that wind turbines significantly reduce property values, but large-scale studies do not support this claim.
A study published in the journal PNAS examined 300 million home sales across the United States between 1997 and 2020. It found only a 1% drop in home values for properties that could see wind turbines, with a slightly larger impact for homes closer to multiple turbines. However, this minor price discount disappeared entirely over the two-decade period covered by the study.
Australian data reflects similar findings. A 2009 report from the NSW Valuer General found that wind farms had no impact on property values in 40 nearby sales. A separate 2006 study of 78 property sales over 15 years near the Crookwell wind farm in NSW found no measurable reduction in rural property values.
Myth #8: Offshore wind farms ruin surf conditions
Some worry that offshore wind farms will disrupt surfing conditions by affecting swell and wave patterns. However, coastal scientists, oceanographers, and engineers confirm that offshore wind farms have no impact on surf conditions.
Swells that create surfing waves are generated by wind thousands of kilometres away and travel vast distances before reaching the coast. According to geomorphologist Professor Rob Brander from the University of New South Wales, swell waves pass through wind turbine structures unaffected. Even if turbines were positioned just 1 km from shore, wave diffraction allows swell to continue towards the coast without losing energy.
Concerns about reduced coastal breezes affecting activities like windsurfing and paragliding have also been investigated. Dr Kapil Chauhan, a wind engineering expert at the University of Sydney, found that while wind turbines slightly reduce wind speed immediately behind them, the effect dissipates within a few hundred metres and does not reach the coastline.
Climate change, rather than offshore wind farms, presents the real threat to surf conditions. Rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and more extreme weather events pose long-term risks to Australia’s beaches and surf breaks.
Myth #9: Wind turbines pose direct health risks
There have been claims that wind turbines cause health issues such as sleep disturbances and other serious conditions. However, Australian health authorities, including the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the Australian Medical Association, have found no credible evidence that wind turbines pose direct health risks.
One of the most common concerns is infrasound – low-frequency sound waves produced by wind turbines. However, studies show that natural environments, such as ocean waves and city traffic, generate more infrasound than wind farms. If infrasound were genuinely harmful, people would experience similar effects from common background noise sources.
Wind turbine noise has also been studied extensively. A 2021 U.S. Department of Energy study found that noise levels from a 500-MW wind project were lower than 55 decibels (dBA) – equivalent to a household air conditioner. Inside buildings near turbines, noise levels ranged from 30.7–43.4 dBA, comparable to a typical home refrigerator.
Shadow flicker and electromagnetic fields (EMF) from wind turbines have also been investigated. Research indicates that EMF levels near turbines are lower than those from household appliances, and the risk of shadow flicker affecting health is extremely low. The NHMRC has found no reliable evidence linking these factors to adverse health effects.
Reports of health issues related to wind turbines are often linked to the nocebo effect – the expectation of negative symptoms influencing perception. Studies show that people who anticipate harm from wind farms are more likely to report symptoms, even in controlled experiments with no actual exposure to infrasound.
Myth #10: Wind turbines frequently fall over or break apart, creating safety hazards
Wind turbines are designed to meet strict safety standards and withstand extreme weather conditions. Early in the industry’s development, incidents of blade detachment and turbine failures were a concern, but advances in engineering, monitoring, and maintenance have significantly reduced these risks.
A 2015 global study found that turbine blade failures occur at a rate of approximately 0.54% per year. In the United States, out of more than 40,000 installed turbines by 2014, fewer than 40 catastrophic failures had been documented. Modern turbines include safety mechanisms that automatically shut them down in extreme conditions to prevent damage.
When evaluating safety based on energy production, wind power is one of the safest energy sources available. Wind energy is associated with just 0.04 human deaths per terawatt-hour (TWh) of electricity produced – far lower than coal, oil, or natural gas, which have significantly higher accident rates.
Offshore wind: A critical part of Australia’s future
With Australia on the path to net-zero emissions, offshore wind presents a major opportunity to drive both economic growth and long-term energy security. Developing just 23 GW of offshore wind capacity between 2027 and 2039 could contribute an estimated AUD 40 billion to the nation’s GDP, create up to 19,000 jobs during peak construction, and support between 7,000 and 14,000 ongoing operational roles. Beyond job creation, offshore wind can help stabilise electricity prices by reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels and providing a consistent, large-scale source of renewable power.
Environmentally, offshore wind is one of the most sustainable energy sources available. The carbon payback period – the time it takes for a turbine to offset the emissions from its construction – is typically between 5 and 12 months, meaning offshore wind farms generate decades of near-zero-emissions electricity. With ongoing advancements in turbine recycling and supply chain efficiencies, the industry is becoming even more sustainable. Offshore wind isn’t just a viable option for Australia’s energy future – it’s an essential one.