One of Australia’s wind energy pioneers and the first wind farm in southern Australia has announced an extension of its operating life, delaying its planned closure by seven years to 2033, adding three decades since its inauguration.
Since its commissioning in 2003, the Starfish Hill wind farm has been instrumental in South Australia’s energy transformation, bringing about the closure of coal-fired coal-fired plants in 2016 and achieving 75% of the state’s energy from wind and solar sources in the last year. The state has an ambitious goal of reaching 100% net renewable energy by 2027.
Starfish Hill wind farm vs. new turbines
Located at Cape Jervis, Starfish Hill operates with 22 NM64 turbines manufactured in Denmark, each with a capacity of 1.5 MW, giving the farm a total capacity of 33 MW. Originally, the project included 23 turbines, but one of them caught fire in 2010 and was not replaced.
In comparison, modern modern wind farms have turbines of approximately 6 MW and blade heights that can reach 260 meters, far greater than the 100 meter height of Starfish Hill.
Starfish Hill signs agreement and debunks myths
Starfish Hill’s life extension is not surprising, especially after the recent 10-year power purchase agreement signed with Zen Energy, an Adelaide-based renewable energy developer and retailer. This announcement was released on the market operator’s generation information page.
In addition, the prolonged operation of Starfish Hill dispels the myths spread in social networks and some media about the short useful life of wind farms and the supposed impossibility of recycling their machinery.
De Brenni highlights wind recycling with unique shoes
Queensland Energy Minister Mick de Brenni this week highlighted the recyclability of wind turbines by sporting sneakers made from turbine blades recycled in Spain, a country with an older wind industry and multiple recycling facilities under development.
De Brenni emphasized that 90% of wind turbine components, made of steel and other metals, are easily recyclable. Although fiber and resin blades present a greater challenge, innovative solutions such as slippers demonstrate that effective recycling methods can be found.
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Source and photo: reneweconomy
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