The world’s southernmost wind farm is currently being constructed on Crater Hill, in Ross Island, near the continent of Antarctica. The site is one of the few ice free areas on Ross Island, sits approximately 190m above sea level and has an average annual wind speed of 28.4 km/hr at 39m (wind turbine hub height).
The wind farm will have three 333 kW Enercon E33 turbines and will supply electricity to New Zealand’s Scott Base and its neighbour the American base at McMurdo Station. This will reduce the amount of diesel power generation by around 463,000 litres per year.
Meridian Energy is bringing its expertise in development, construction, operation and management of wind energy to this small wind farm project, in alliance with Antarctica New Zealand and supported by the United States Antarctic Program.
Work commenced onsite in November 2008 and will continue in the summer of 2009 and 2010 with the construction and commissioning of the turbines. Because of the lack of daylight during winter, construction can only take place in summer.
Olex New Zealand Limited provided Meridian Energy with 250 metres of three core 16mm² copper 11kV cable.
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Location of Ross Island
Transportation of a wind turbine blade
An artists impression of the wind farm
Images and facts courtesy of Meridian Energy, NZ Wind Energy Association and Wikepedia.