The edge of an Australian flag flaps over a wind turbine 90-odd metres up. The fist-pumping billionaire is buzzing, testing the limits of his safety line.

Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest, the minted miner turned renewable energy zealot, has made a life pushing the boundaries.

Forrest takes a minute at the top of the turbine. ( )

Squadron Energy's Clarke Creek is the biggest wind farm opened in Australia this year. ( )

He's been up the turbine longer than expected, and behind calm faces, his minders make mental tweaks to the day's schedule.

After a socially intense morning of handshaking, backslapping and small talk, the bloke is probably happy to have a moment to himself. Alone at the top.

Hours earlier, Forrest jetted in from overseas and choppered up to cut the ribbon at Clarke Creek, the biggest wind farm opened in Australia this year.

It's something of an achievement given the growing political and community resistance slowing down the rollout of big renewable projects.

"I'd just love it if every Australian could get up here — it's just the most beautiful feeling in the world," Forrest says after finally descending and de-harnessing.

The $1 billion project includes 100 turbines that stretch across the range, with a further 88 to be built. ( )

It is the middle of a heatwave, and a hot wind has started whistling through the blades of the nearly 100 wind turbines dotted along the Broadsound Range, between Rockhampton and Mackay.

"It's just this strong, gentle breeze — the beautiful state of Queensland rolling out over these incredibly gracious wind towers," Forrest says, like he's been meditating up there.

"It's just slowly evolving, and you know that they're doing so much good every time they turn … it's an emotional feeling."

You can almost picture Forrest on his private jet, unwrapping his new high-vis Squadron Energy shirt, "Andrew" embroidered on the chest.

The work boots he wears are fresh out of the box, too. The worn-in kit is probably still at the back door of the homestead at the family's Minderoo Station, in Western Australia.

Forrest addresses the media pack in his Squadron Energy attire. ( )

The boots are fresh out of the box. ( )

"I grew up with the mentorship of two old stockmen — one was Indigenous, one was white," Forrest says.

"They both really stressed … you've got to do your best in life, you have to be as useful as you can."

As a boy on the cattle station, Forrest was given the Aboriginal name Nyidinghu, meaning y