CleanBeta

Antarctica Gets First Wind Farm

A joint effort between Antarctica New Zealand and Meridian Energy, a New Zealand-based clean energy company, are planning to build the world’s first wind farm on the rapidly vanishing ice plains of Antarctica.

Meridian Energy will build and operate the new wind energy project at New Zealand’s Scott Base in Antarctica, which is managed by Antarctica New Zealand. The companies began exploring the joint venture in 2005 and plan to start construction in November. The the wind power farm will be partially operational by early 2010, according to Scoop.

The plan calls for linking three-wind turbines linked to the electrical grids of McMurdo Station and Scott Base, two scientific research bases belonging to New Zealand and the United States, respectively.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced in a speech given last night during the International Polar Year Function in Wellington.

“Budget 2008 provides Antarctica New Zealand with additional baseline of $320,000 per year for the building and operation of three wind turbines on Ross Island,” said Peters. “The turbines have the capacity to reduce fuel consumption by roughly 460,000 litres per year. They produce more than enough power to make Scott Base self-sufficient.”

Antarctica New Zealand operates New Zealand’s research station Scott Base in Antarctica.

“It is no mean feat, in extreme polar conditions, to provide a smooth supply of electricity to our scientists working at Scott Base,” said Peters. “This is impressive technology, and it will enable an interface between the existing diesel generators and the wind turbines to ensure the lights go on, and stay on, the Minister said. Substituting renewable energy for existing fossil fuel use is a way of reducing environmental emissions and the environmental risks associated with getting the fuel to the bases.”

Project Details: Antarctica_fact_sheet_final