Paul,

I remember the fervent anti-nuclear stance of the left in Australia. It prevails to this day. Forty years ago coal provided the cheapest electricity (and still does), Australia had centuries of reserves, so there was little reason for either side of politics to push hard for nuclear power. You might recall how politically difficult it was to operate and maintain the reactor at Lucas Heights.

Are you suggesting things were different? What the commies want is no secret.

https://www.solidarity.net.au/climate-change/a-history-of-anti-nuclear-resistance-from-mining-to-missiles/

I just read today that the windmills being installed at present are
only 18Mwatt. I was surprised at that, I has thought they were in
the order of 50 to 80 megawatt.
This changes everything; the number that will be required is very
much larger than I had imagined.
Just divide our maximum demand by 18 mwatt.
Unless I s;opped a zero that would need 2770 of these 350 metre tall
windmills provide the wind blew at 25knots forever.

Yes, it is true they really are that stupid !

I thought I had it wrong !
We would need 22,000 wind turbines.
As each only produces 35% of its nameplate output per year we then
have to add another 7,111 turbines but spread over two or more
locations. However if the wind stopped on two sites then we would need
at least another two sites, or maybe more.
If you need 100% reliability then the number increases by the inverse
expotential of the size of the area covered by the connected grid.
Do you see why I think our planners don't have a clue ?
We should have heard public discussion about this problem by now,
not just by someone like me.

Hi Bazz,

That should put the wind up em' AH! Maybe we should spend more time in the Sun AH!

Oh Dear, must get some sleep, I got it wrong again.
It is 22,000 + 2 thirds more ie 14222 = 36222 wind turbines.
That would keep the lights on only if they averaged out in such a
way that the wind never failed at two sites at the same time.
No hope of that, so we must multiply by perhaps 8 or 113776 turbines!
Can't see it happening.

Hi Bazz,

You are not allowing for the "piss and wind" factor, and the application of the cranium sub variable which at the present time stands at 47 1/4 depending on which way the wind 's blowing. Once factoring in all the factors and sub factors, the actual number is 44,987,236,453, give or take a few trillion or billions, it all depends, and that's doesn't allow for cloudy days. AND you think your head hurts, what about me! What is your excuse?