On the cusp of a boom, but wind could yet change

The alternative energy sector is set to grow but dogged by policy doubt, writes Peter Hannam.

A fat pipeline of proposed wind farms for NSW is poised to propel the state past Victoria and South Australia by 2020.

On current figures, NSW lags, with less than a third of the installed wind-generating capacity of Victoria and less than a quarter of South Australia's total, according to data compiled by ROAM Consulting.

NSW has nine wind farms in operation but by 2020, when the renewable energy target is due to end, the state could add at least 30 more, if proposed projects get built.

By 2020, NSW will have about 4100 megawatts of installed wind capacity, almost 15 times the current level, ROAM predicts. By contrast, Victoria's total will roughly triple to 2900 megawatts and South Australia's will double and then some to 2700 megawatts.

See full Article: http://www.theage.com.au/business/on-the-cusp-of-a-boom-but-wind-could-yet-change-20121214-2bf4p.html