Climate a bigger threat to biodiversity than renewables, experts say
As the green energy boom gathers pace, experts say climate change is a bigger threat to biodiversity than wind farms and other renewables projects.
As aging coal-fired power stations along Australia's east coast reach the end of their lives, the country is looking to transition to renewable energy to secure our energy sources into the future in the face of climate change.
But what happens when these developments have the potential to hurt sensitive ecosystems or biodiversity?
Is some environmental damage an unfortunate — but unavoidable — casualty in the battle against climate change?
Energy revolution
The Victorian Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action (DEECA) says that in the next 10 years at least an additional 9.5 gigawatts of energy is needed from on-shore renewable energy sources to meet its target of 95 per cent renewable energy by 2035.
The Kentbruck Green Power Hub near Nelson, about 330 kilometres west of Melbourne, is among the projects that could help the state hit these targets.
If approved, HMC Capital's project could see up to 105 turbines, standing at 270 metres tall, constructed across a pine plantation.
Project documents for the Kentbruck Green Power Hub near Nelson show what the wind farm would look like above a pine forest. (Supplied: Neoen)
Project documents say it will generate an estimated 600 megawatts of power — or enough to power about 400,000 homes — and is in an area with consistent high winds and a strong grid connection.
In December 2024, the Commonwealth government gave the project capacity investment funding as part of an underwriting scheme that aims to help Australia meet its renewable energy targets.
The future of the wind farm lies with Victorian planning minister Sonya Kilkenny, who will decide whether to grant it a permit.
Environmental concerns
The proposed wind farm is adjacent to an internationally significant Ramsar-listed wetland and a number of national parks, sparking concerns it could pose a risk to a number of endangered birds, including the Australasian bittern, orange-bellied parrot and south-eastern red-tailed black cockatoo.
More than 200 submissions were made on the project during the public consultation period.
Among the concerns raised by environmental groups was lack of data on how birds used habitat in the area and inadequate plans to monitor and respond to any bird deaths caused by the wind farm.
The Kentbruck wind farm is proposed to be adjacent to Long Swamp, which is part of an internationally significant and Ramsar-listed wetland. (Supplied)