Woolnorth Wind Farm (Stage 2)

Renewable Generation, Grid Connected
Location: Woolnorth, TAS

The site

The Woolnorth Wind Farm is located near Smithton on the far north-west coast of Tasmania. Six wind turbines are located on stage one and 31 turbines on stage two. The site was selected because of the world-class wind energy resource that blows in from the Southern Ocean, as well as the availability of cleared land, existing road access, connection to the transmission grid and remoteness from residences.

Technology

Stage one and two of the Woolnorth wind farm comprises 37 x 1.75 MW Vestas V66 wind turbines. The towers are 60 metres tall and the rotor diameter is 66 metres with a sweep area of 3,421 m². The rotor operates at 21 rpm between four and 25m/s of wind speed. The asynchronous generator with OptiSpeed operates at 690 V and frequency of 50 Hz.

"Renewable energy projects by Hydro Tasmania and Vestas have been part of an economic and technological revival in the area. A Vestas turbine nacelle factory has been established at Wynyard and new jobs have followed. Hence, the Woolnorth Wind Farm development generates energy, jobs and optimism."
Sid Sidebottom MP, Federal Member for Braddon

Energy purchase and supply

The plant is expected to produce 246 GWh of electricity per annum and provides enough energy to meet the needs of more than 32,000 households. Power generated from the project is sold to Aurora Energy under long-term agreement. The windfarm is registered with the National Electricity Market Management Company (NEMMCO) as a non-market, non-scheduled generator. The generator is an accredited generator under the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target. The plant is connected to the Transend transmission system at Smithton via a 42 km 110 kV single circuit overhead transmission line and 1.5 km of 110 kV underground cable. The project is expected to save 137,000 tonnes per annum of greenhouse gas emissions.

Other distinguishing features

Vestas, the world's leading turbine manufacturer, constructed a plant to assemble the turbine nacelles and is manufacturing fibreglass components in north-west Tasmania. These manufacturing opportunities are a major new source of employment for the State, with significant growth potential as future wind power developments proceed.