Gina Rinehart says renewable energy could use one-third of Australia’s prime agricultural land. Is she right?

The figure is based on an Institute of Public Affairs report, but its extrapolations have been described as ‘ridiculous’

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Wind and solar farms are popping up in renewable energy zones and designated development areas around Australia. Within those zones, it can feel as though new projects are everywhere: on your property or your neighbour’s, on the hills into town.

Fuelling this narrative is Australia’s richest person, Gina Rinehart, who said at an event naming her as the Australian Financial Review’s 2024 business person of the year that one-third of Australia’s “prime agricultural land” could be “taken over” by renewable energy projects, particularly solar.