The latest example of Australia getting serious about developing its vast wind power potential occurred last week at an industry forum in Cairns with an announced plan that construction of a $560 million (€400 million) wind farm and visitor centre could begin by the end of next year.

According to The Cairns Post, Wendy Morris, of property developer Port Bajool,  described the planned 220 MW wind farm and its accompanying $12 million (€8.6 mn) energy innovation centre as “one of the bright shining lights” for the Tablelands area, which has been dealing with a sluggish economy.

The newspaper reported that the 80 turbine wind facility, located near Mt. Emerald southwest of Mareeba, could produce enough electricity to power Tablelands and up to 60% of Cairns.

Clusters of wind turbines can frequently be spotted from the window of a train or a car, but occasionally one or two of them are not turning. What does this mean?

It might look as though the turbines have just stopped working, and have been left standing still next to their functioning fellow machines.

However, the truth is that wind turbines are nearly always stopped for a good reason. This can be in order to carry out maintenance and repairs, or often because there is too little or too much wind.

The future for offshore wind power in the United Kingdom continues to attract government support with Tuesday’s announcement that Scotland has set up a €80 million investment fund to help secure its place in Europe’s rapidly developing offshore industry.

First Minister Alex Salmond announced that the fund — which, according to a press release, is designed to “strengthen port and manufacturing facilities and supply chain provision for manufacturing offshore wind turbines and related components” — at a RenewableUK conference in Glasgow.

“The offshore wind industry is seeking leadership and immediate support from government and the Scottish government is determined to provide that,” Salmond said.