The wind industry is environmentally responsible and provides a source of renewable electricity generation that produces no air pollution.

Economically, the industry has great potential in providing long term careers as well as employment opportunities for regional and local communities during construction.

Given that the australian government has announced its plan for an 80% reduction in carbon pollution levels by 2050, wind power will play a significant role in reducing the emissions intensity of australia's electricity generation sector.

European countries including Germany, Spain and Denmark have already taken the lead in developing their wind industries. Whilst Australia is a vast country and has an excellent wind resources, it is yet to secure its place as a leader in the global wind industry because electricity prices in Australia are amongst the cheapest in the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) countries. This is due to our reliance on cheap and abundant reserves of coal where the externalities caused by their pollution are not factored into the electricity price.

In the absence of a price on pollution, the promotion of large scale renewable generation with appropriate federal targets, as well as technological improvements in wind turbines and the economies of scale brought about by larger wind farms will see wind compete more effectively with fossil fueled power stations.

The Australian government is planning the implementation of the Clean Energy Future scheme which will put a price on the cost of pollution caused by CO2 and other greenhouse gases. This is an appropriate and efficient methodology of applying a market price on this pollution which will facilitate the growth of clean and renewable energy technologies such as wind.

For more information refer to the Department of Climate Change website (www.climatechange.gov.au)