Windy Hill Wind Farm

{{Infobox power station

| name = Windy Hill Wind Farm

| image = IMG 4001 Windy Hill Wind Farm.JPG

| image_caption = Windy Hill Wind Farm

| coordinates = {{coord|17|35|32|S|145|31|50|E|region:AU_type:landmark|display=inline}}

| name_official =

| country = Australia

| location = Ravenshoe, Queensland

| construction_began = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1999}}

| commissioned = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2000|08}}

| decommissioned =

| cost = $20 million

| owner = RATCH-Australia

| operator =

| ps_units_operational = 20

| ps_units_manu_model = Enercon: E40

| wind_hub_height = {{Convert|46|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}

| wind_rotor_diameter = {{Convert|44|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}

| wind_rated_speed = 13-25 m/s

| wind_farm_type = Onshore

| ps_site_elevation = {{Convert|1090|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}

| wind_site_usage = Farm land

| wind_offshore_depth =

| wind_offshore_distance =

| ps_electrical_capacity = 12MW

| ps_electrical_cap_fac =

| website = {{URL|http://www.tsinfrastructurefund.com/page/Infrastructure_Assets/Windy_Hill_wind_farm}}

}}

Windy Hill Wind Farm is a wind power station near Ravenshoe on the Atherton Tableland, Queensland, Australia. It has 20 wind turbines with a generating capacity of 12 MW of electricity, providing enough power for about 3,500 homes. The cost of the project was A$20 million. It was the second wind farm to be constructed in Queensland after the 0.45Mw station on Thursday Island (1997).

The power station was commissioned in 2000 and was initially operated by the Stanwell Corporation. In December 2007 Windy Hill was sold to Transfield Services Infrastructure Fund (TSIF) as part of the Queensland Government's ClimateSmart 2050 strategy.{{cite web |title=Stanwell Annual Report 2008 |url=http://www.stanwell.com/Files/General_PDF_Files/2008_Annual_Report_Part_1.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090914111806/http://www.stanwell.com/Files/General_PDF_Files/2008_Annual_Report_Part_1.pdf |archive-date=14 September 2009}}{{cite web |title=TSI Fund Acquires Five Wind Farms |url=https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20071129/pdf/3164njhvc4mcyp.pdf |publisher=Transfield Services |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200427075106/https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20071129/pdf/3164njhvc4mcyp.pdf |archive-date=27 April 2020 |date=29 November 2007 |url-status=live}} A new substation was built to allow the wind farm's power to connect to the existing 66 kV transmission line. RATCH-Australia bought TSIF in 2011.

Wind turbines

The construction contractor for the wind farm was Powercorp. The wind turbines are located on private land that continues to be used as a dairy farm.{{cite web |url=http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/things-to-see-and-do/windy-hill-wind-farm/index.cfm |title=Things to do and see: Windy Hill Wind Farm |work=Queensland Holidays |publisher=Tourism Queensland |access-date=9 September 2011 |archive-date=26 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826040048/http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au/things-to-see-and-do/windy-hill-wind-farm/index.cfm}} Each tower is {{convert|44|m}} high. The turbines used at the facility are Enercon E40.{{cite web |url=http://www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au/cec/resourcecentre/casestudies/Wind/Windy-Hill.html |title=Windy Hill - Phase 1 |publisher=Clean Energy Council |access-date=9 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120410134655/http://www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au/cec/resourcecentre/casestudies/Wind/Windy-Hill.html|archive-date=10 April 2012}} They can rotate at speeds between 14 rpm to 38 rpm. Power from the turbines is carried by underground cable to the electricity grid.

Issues in 2023

Unused wind turbine blades are stored near the site.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-25 |title=‘Dirty big secret’: Wind turbine GRAVEYARD found in Aussie forest |url=https://www.2gb.com/dirty-big-secret-wind-turbine-graveyard-found-in-aussie-forest/ |access-date=2023-10-11 |website=2GB |language=en}}{{Citation |last=July 26 |title=Wind turbine sustainability under scrutiny as old ones left in quarry |date=2023-07-26 |url=https://www.skynews.com.au/opinion/peta-credlin/wind-turbine-sustainability-under-scrutiny-as-old-ones-left-in-quarry/video/6bb589eee43aa121c7cb6bb6912fb503 |access-date=2023-10-11 |language=en |last2=2023 - 9:34pm}} The contractor says these blades are being recycled.{{Cite web |last=Vorrath |first=Sophie |date=2023-08-04 |title=“Turbine graveyard” debunked: Anatomy of a media anti-wind scare campaign |url=https://reneweconomy.com.au/turbine-graveyard-debunked-anatomy-of-a-media-anti-wind-scare-campaign/ |access-date=2023-10-11 |website=RenewEconomy |language=en-AU}}

There are aboriginal groups both for and against any extension of the current wind farm.{{Cite news |date=2023-08-03 |title=Traditional owners to take fight to Canberra over wind farm to be built near protected rainforests |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-04/chalumbin-wind-farm-proposal-draws-traditional-owners-ire/102682158 |access-date=2023-10-11}}

References

Category:Buildings and structures in Far North Queensland

Category:Energy infrastructure completed in 2000

Category:Wind farms in Queensland

Category:2000 establishments in Australia

Windy Hill Wind Farm

Wind turbines

Issues in 2023

See also

References