Queensland’s wind energy potential mapped

"We know Queensland has the natural resources necessary to become a renewable energy leader, and the wind map will provide evidence of this to the world," he said.

"The Wind Atlas highlights zones of wind speed and strength across the State. "These zones are represented in colour ranges from blue to red with red being the highest wind farm potential.

"In particular, the areas around the regions including Atherton to Cooktown through to Cairns are shown to be peculiarly windy, with higher wind energy potential."

Mr Robertson said the ‘Queensland Wind Map’ is a key initiative of the government’s Queensland Renewable Energy Plan and will help to attract significant investment to the state.

"The government’s Office of Clean Energy contracted Hydro Tasmania Consulting, a company with significant experience in renewable energy, and with particular expertise in the wind and hydroelectric industries, to produce the map," he said.

"The wind energy map is overlaid with key information such as the location of national parks and existing power infrastructure, and future updates will add even more information.

"The map can be downloaded free from the Office of Clean Energy website and used by developers’ own mapping systems.

"The Office of Clean Energy will also use the map to identify Renewable Energy Zones for the state." Mr Robertson said these zones will be similar to a minerals province.

He said they will be the prime areas of the state where access to state land will be facilitated, planning processes streamlined and incentives developed for renewable energy proponents.

"This is a significant milestone in the Queensland Government’s overarching plan to leverage $3.5 billion of renewable energy investment and to create 3,500 green jobs," Mr Robertson said.

The Queensland Wind Map can be downloaded free from www.cleanenergy.qld.gov.au