Wind energy is a resource which is abundant and easily accessible in most parts of the world. Modern wind turbines are very large sophisticated machines that allow the efficient conversion of wind energy into electricity. Several international companies are developing increasingly larger and more efficient wind turbines for both land and sea-based wind farms. The larger machines being developed currently have capacities as high as 3.6 megawatts, sufficient to power several thousand households with a single turbine.

Significant growth is being experienced in large scale grid connected wind farms in Australia and overseas. The southern states of Australia are well positioned to take advantage of wind energy due to their location in the Roaring Forties (the latitudes which experience consistent winds). Another significant niche for wind power in Australia is installing wind turbines in conjunction with diesel power systems in remote areas, leading to reductions in diesel use and associated cost savings.