The primary threat to Australian agricultural land is not the expansion of renewable energy projects but the extensive and costly impact of invasive species, according to a recent analysis. While concerns are often raised about wind and solar farms consuming productive land, data indicates that invasive plants like blackberries cover an area 75 times greater than what would be needed for a fully decarbonized national power grid. These pests cost the agricultural sector billions annually, a stark contrast to the minimal footprint and supplemental income provided by renewables.
In response to claims that wind and solar projects are encroaching on valuable farmland, a detailed look at land use data presents a different narrative. The most significant and ongoing pressure on agricultural productivity comes from invasive species. Established weeds and animal pests are estimated to cost Australian farmers over $5 billion each year in direct losses. When broader economic impacts are factored in, this figure climbs to an estimated $25 billion annually, posing a substantial drag on the rural economy.
Specific examples highlight the scale of the issue. Invasive blackberry thickets now cover approximately nine million hectares across Australia, leading to A$103 million in yearly control costs and lost production. Beyond reducing livestock capacity, these plants degrade soil, alter water flows, and provide shelter for other pests. Feral animals also cause widespread damage; foxes, for instance, are found across more than 75 percent of the mainland, killing livestock and an estimated 300 million native animals each year.
By comparison, the land use of renewable energy infrastructure is minimal. Wind farms typically occupy less than two percent of their leased area for essential infrastructure like turbine pads and access roads, allowing for agricultural activities such as grazing and cropping to continue alongside energy production. According to energy modeling from the Australian National University, a complete decarbonization of the country’s energy supply would require about 120,000 hectares for wind and solar installations. This is a fraction of the land already compromised by a single invasive plant like the blackberry, underscoring that the true challenge to farmland lies in environmental management, not clean energy development.