Windy Hill Wind Farm
Windy Hill was the first wind farm to be constructed in Queensland. Construction commenced in 1999 with turbine commissioning in 2000. The wind turbines were supplied by German company Enercon.
Windy Hill Wind Farm will reduce Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions by up to 25,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year.
Number of turbines
20
Energy produced
Windy Hill Wind Farm produces 12 megawatts of electricity, or enough energy to supply 3,500 homes – equivalent to the towns of Atherton and Mareeba.
The site
The land around the wind farm is owned by local farmers who have entered into lease access agreements with TSI Fund.
Environmental benefits
The Windy Hill Wind Farm produces 12 megawatts of electricity, or enough energy to supply 3,500 homes. Windy Hill Wind Farm will reduce Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions by up to 0.625 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent during its forecast 25 year operating life.
Investments in renewable energy are environmentally and commercially sustainable.
Australian Government renewable energy schemes allow producers of renewable energy to sell the power generated and obtain Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). Energy retailers are required to purchase RECs to support the generation of renewable energy and achieve renewable energy targets.
Blade dimensions
The turbines are mounted on tubular towers 44 metres high, the hub height is 46 metres with a rotor diameter of 46 metres. The blades pitch to optimise the power produced and to control the rotational speed.
The turbines
The Enercon E40 turbines were manufactured in Germany. Each generator has an electrical capacity of 600 kilowatts.
Other equipment
The development of the wind farm included an underground 22 kilovolt electrical reticulation system, customer SCADA system and wind monitoring system.
Construction
The wind farm was commissioned in August 2000, at a cost of $20 million.
The project
Stanwell Corporation, the developer of the wind farm, undertook wind monitoring to assess the potential of the site and optimum turbine layout. The consultation process considered issues such as aesthetics, impact on wildlife, noise levels and compatibility with telecommunications systems.
Transfield Services Infrastructure Fund acquired the wind farm in December 2007.
For more information about wind farms, please visit www.windfarms.net.au