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Albany Wind Farm
Albany wind farm is approximately 12km south-west of the city centre. It is in an elevated position approximately 80m above the Southern Ocean. This height, proximity to the coastline and small distance to the main electricity transmission system make this an exceptional wind farm site.
The Albany wind farm consists of twelve 1800kW wind turbines connected to the Albany electrical system and control network. The turbines are ENERCON E66 machines from Germany and were installed by Enercon Power Corporation, an Australian Company.
The turbines have a 65m tower and three 35m long blades, making them one of the biggest available in the world at that time, and the largest to be installed in the southern hemisphere. The turbines operate automatically, with the three blades adjusted to maximise power output from any wind direction or strength. They have been designed to withstand the strongest winds likely in Albany and incorporate special lightning protection.
The Albany Wind Farm, which officially opened in October 2001, was ten years in the planning.
Wind turbine specifications
| Turbine rating | 1800kW |
| Turbine make | ENERCON E66 |
| Turbine type | Three bladed, upwind, horizontal axis, variable speed inverter coupled |
| Turbine tower height | 65m |
| Turbine rotor diameter | 70m (blade length 35m) |
| Start-up wind speed | 2 m/s ( 7 km/hr or 4 knots) |
| Wind speed at which maximum output reached | 14 m/s ( 50 km/hr or 31 knots) |
| Wind speed at which turbine stops due to high winds | 36 m/s (130 km/hr or 70 knots) |
| Survivable wind speed | Greater than 60 m/s (220 km/hr or 115 knots) |
| Blade rotational speed | 10 to 22 RPM |
| Turbine blade material | Glass fibre reinforced epoxy |
| Tower material | Steel |
| Turbine colour | "Papyrus White" (RAL 9018) |
The wind turbines do not have gearboxes, which helps keep maintenance to a minimum. The turbine operates at variable speed, which means that the blades speed up and slow down with the wind. The blades move very slowly reaching a top speed of 22 RPM in the strongest of winds (which is only one revolution every three seconds).
In an average year the wind farm produces about 77,000,000 units of electricity, though this does vary depending on how windy the year is. In 2001, this amount of energy was equivalent to about 75% of the City of Albany's electricity requirements and enough to supply about 15,000 average homes.
Albany is connected to the main electricity grid. - the South West Interconnected System (SWIS). When the wind isn't blowing the city is provided with power via transmission lines from Verve Energy’s large coal and gas fired power stations further north. On some occasions the wind farm exports a small amount of power north along the transmission network.
The wind farm lowers greenhouse gas emissions by about 77,000 tonnes per year, as less coal and gas are burnt by Verve Energy at its large power stations.
The wind farm is open to the general public every day of the year and you are free to visit when you wish. At the wind farm there is a large car-parking area, extensive network of boardwalks, artwork and information panels, plus a connection walk to the Bibbulmum track. More information is available from the Albany Tourist Bureau at the Albany train station at the bottom of York Street, Albany.
Photo Gallery
The Albany Wind Farm Project commenced in August 2000 and was completed in July 2001.