Australian Wind Turbines Designed to Thrive in Typhoons

Imagine wind turbines so tough they don't just survive typhoons but actually keep working through them. That's exactly what's coming to Western Australia's Pilbara region, where extreme weather is about to become a renewable energy asset.

Fortescue Metals has broken ground on the Nullagine Wind Project, a 133 MW wind farm featuring 17 turbines built specifically for cyclone conditions. Unlike conventional turbines that shut down when winds get too strong, these machines from Envision Energy are engineered to operate in both extremely low wind speeds and during full-blown typhoons.

The project represents more than just weatherproof technology. It includes Nabrawind's self-erecting tower system, which simplifies construction in remote locations, plus an AI system that optimizes operations and maintenance in real time.

Fortescue plans to use the clean energy to power its iron ore mining operations, including eventually electrifying drills, plants, and trucks. The company expects completion by 2028 and has already announced this will be the first of multiple wind projects in the region.

The timing aligns perfectly with Australia's ambitious climate targets. The country recently committed to reducing emissions by 62 to 70 percent compared to 2005 levels by 2035, building on its goal of zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Australia's renewable energy sector has already hit impressive milestones. In the fourth quarter of 2025, more than half the country's electricity came from renewable sources, marking a turning point in the nation's energy transition.

Why This Inspires

This project shows how innovation can flip challenges into opportunities. The Pilbara's harsh weather, once seen as an obstacle to development, is now becoming an energy asset. By designing technology that works with nature's extremes rather than against them, engineers are proving that renewable energy can thrive anywhere.

The approach also demonstrates how heavy industry can transition away from fossil fuels without sacrificing competitiveness. When mining companies invest in their own renewable infrastructure, they're not just reducing emissions but creating a blueprint for other resource-intensive industries worldwide.

Not everyone agrees on the best path forward though. Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley recently rejected a separate massive wind and solar project in the same region, citing concerns about disrupting tidal flows and wetland ecosystems at the Eighty Mile Beach Ramsar site. The decision has sparked debate about balancing renewable energy expansion with environmental protection.

Still, projects like Nullagine prove that thoughtful renewable development can move forward. Western Australia continues expanding its wind capacity rapidly, with multiple projects in various stages of development across the region.

Turning typhoons into electricity might sound like science fiction, but it's becoming reality in Australia's outback.