Albany Wind Farm

The Albany Wind Farm sits 80m above the Southern Ocean about 12km south-west of the city centre. The site elevation, proximity to the coastline and short distance to the main electricity transmission system make this an exceptional wind farm site.

Each of the 12 wind turbines produces up to 1.8MW of electricity or a total of 22MW. To maximise the energy produced, the blades pivot and the turbines automatically turn to face into the wind. Verve Energy has added another six bigger turbines to the site in a project called Grasmere. The extended wind farm will meet 80% of Albany’s electricity needs.

The wind farm is connected to Albany and the main electricity grid.

The turbines have a 65m tower and three 35m long blades and have been designed to withstand the strongest winds likely in Albany and have special lightning protection.

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).

The wind farm lowers greenhouse gas emissions by about 77,000 tonnes per year, as less coal and gas are used at Verve Energy’s power stations. 

The wind farm is open to the public. More information is available from the Albany Visitor Centre near the Albany train station at the bottom of York Street, Albany.

The Albany Wind Farm was officially opened in October 2001 and has become a popular tourist attraction.