With the climate crisis on track to get worse in the upcoming decades, governments around the world are looking for ways to harness renewable clean energy. Generating electricity from wind is one option, and the government of Western Australia is ready to make it a reality. A newly approved offshore wind power project in Western Australia will cover 4000 sq km, and American companies may be putting in bids to build the turbines.
Wind is a 100% clean power resource that generates more electricity than solar panels
In the renewable energy sector, there’s a big push to embrace wind as the most efficient solution to countries’ power needs. Wind turbines can produce far more energy than solar panels and can be left to run for years with minimal maintenance. The Australian government has said that one turn of an offshore turbine will generate as much energy as a solar panel does in an entire day. As long as there is wind turbines can rotate all day, every day of the year.
It’s still a good idea to have solar panels on your home to help offset your utility costs and make your home more environmentally friendly. However, even if every home had solar panels, the panels wouldn’t generate enough electricity to power your city. The planned wind farm off the coast of Bunbury, Western Australia is supposed to be able to generate 11.4GW of electricity, enough to power up multiple cities in the area.
The ocean covers 71% of Earth’s surface, and governments want to use it for offshore wind power
China and America have invested in wind farms built on land, but Australia is looking to the ocean. While you might feel a strong breeze while standing on the shore, the wind blows much harder over the ocean. Building wind farms out at sea provides more consistent energy and keeps the wind turbines out of sight for most people. Since wind turbines can be up to 20 stories tall, they can be an eyesore on the horizon. The new offshore wind farm in Western Australia will be 41km away from the coast.
Building wind turbines in the ocean doesn’t come without drawbacks. The machines have to be constructed in a way that doesn’t disrupt the migration and habits of sea animals, including whales, and people who fish still need to be able to access their fishing grounds. In Western Australia, the government plans to put 2km between each turbine to ensure that animals and people can move around the area unencumbered.
American companies are looking to Australia to find out if offshore wind is the right energy solution
Offshore wind power is a fairly new concept in America. There are two domestic wind farms off the Northeast Coast of America, and they were controversial when constructed. If Australia moves ahead with plans to build a 4000 sq km wind farm off the coast of Bunbury, WA, American companies will be keeping a close eye on the project.
Wind farms can create new jobs and help local economies. Both Australia and America have strong economies, but fluctuations in their job markets can frustrate local people. American companies see wind energy as an up-and-coming job sector that could invigorate smaller towns and cities.
Fossil fuels will eventually run out, and the governments of Australia and America want to have clean energy alternatives before it’s too late. Solar panels are a good solution for individual households, but wind power can generate enough energy for entire cities. While environmental activists worry that the negative impacts will be too great, the government of Western Australia is excited about the benefits of its planned offshore wind power project.
