Wattle Point Wind Farm facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wattle Point Wind Farm |
|
|---|---|
The information centre near the base of one of the towers.
|
|
| Country | Australia |
| Location | Edithburgh, South Australia |
| Coordinates | 35°7′21″S 137°42′55″E / 35.12250°S 137.71528°E |
| Status | Operational |
| Construction began | July 2004 |
| Commission date | April 2005 |
| Construction cost | $180 million (AUD) |
| Operator(s) | AGL Energy |
The Wattle Point Wind Farm is a large wind farm located near Edithburgh in South Australia. It started making electricity in April 2005. When it first opened, it was Australia's biggest wind farm.
This wind farm has 55 giant wind turbines. They cover an area of about 17.5 square kilometers. Building the wind farm cost around 180 million Australian dollars. It helps power homes and businesses by sending electricity into the main power grid.
Contents
How Wattle Point Wind Farm Works
The Wattle Point Wind Farm uses the power of wind to create electricity. It is located in a spot known for strong, steady winds. This makes it a great place to generate clean energy.
Why Was Wattle Point Chosen?
The location for the wind farm was picked because it has some of the highest average wind speeds in mainland Australia. Strong winds mean the turbines can spin more often and make more electricity.
How Many Turbines Are There?
There are 55 wind turbines at Wattle Point. Each turbine has large blades that catch the wind. When the blades spin, they turn a generator inside the turbine. This generator then creates electricity.
Connecting to the Power Grid
The electricity made at Wattle Point Wind Farm travels through special power lines. These lines connect the wind farm to the main electricity system. This way, the power can reach homes and businesses.
History of Wattle Point Wind Farm
The Wattle Point Wind Farm officially opened in June 2005. A special ceremony was held to mark the occasion. Important people like the Premier of South Australia, Mike Rann, attended the opening.
Who Built and Owned the Wind Farm?
The wind farm was built by a company called Southern Hydro Pty Limited. Over the years, the ownership of the wind farm has changed a few times. It was owned by Meridian Energy and then by the Australian Gas Light Company (AGL). Later, it was acquired by Alinta and then by a trust managed by the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group. Today, AGL Energy operates the wind farm.
Plans for More Turbines
There were plans to build a second part of the wind farm, called Wattle Point Stage 2. However, this project did not go ahead. The main reason was that the existing power lines could not handle much more electricity.
Wattle Point and the Local Community
Building the wind farm brought up some important discussions with the local Indigenous Australian people. These are the Adjahdura (or Narungga) people, who are the traditional landowners of the area.
Concerns About Construction
Some local Indigenous people were concerned about the construction. They felt that building the wind farm disturbed an ancient burial ground. Human remains, tools, and other old items were found during the work.
How the Situation Was Handled
Work on the wind farm was stopped for a short time. Experts were called in to study the area. They looked at the bones and other items found. After careful study, it was decided that the bones had been moved from another place on the peninsula a long time ago.
Five of the wind turbines were moved to different spots to avoid disturbing important areas. The local Aboriginal community had different views on the project, with some supporting it and others strongly opposing it.
Wattle Point and Battery Storage
The Wattle Point Wind Farm is connected to a special battery storage facility. This facility is called the Dalrymple ESCRI battery. It is located about 21 kilometers north of the wind farm.
What is a Battery Storage Facility?
A battery storage facility is like a giant battery. It can store electricity when the wind farm makes a lot of power. Then, it can release that stored electricity when it's needed, even if the wind isn't blowing. This helps make the electricity supply more reliable.
