Powering South Australia with wind
AGL’s Wattle Point Wind Farm generates enough renewable energy to power about 50,000 average Australian homes.
The total cost of this project was $180 million when it was built in 2005. At this time, Wattle Point was Australia's largest wind farm. The site comprises 55 turbines and has a total capacity of 91 MW.
The rhythmic turning of the turbines begins to generate electricity in a light breeze of only nine kilometres per hour and reaches full production at winds of around 47 kilometres per hour. Blade speeds can reach up to 222 kilometres per hour but the turbines automatically shut down to avoid damage in gale force winds.
Anyone can visit the wind farm’s viewing area on Sheoak Beach Road. Entry is free.
Location
Wattle Point Wind Farm is located 3 kilometres southwest of Edithburgh on the Yorke Peninsula, South Australia. The site covers a total area of 17.5 km2.
Project background
Construction of the Wattle Point Wind Farm started in July 2004 and was completed in May 2005 with the official opening held on 16 June 2005.
The first turbine was assembled on 30 November 2004, with each concrete foundation consisting of approximately 230 cubic metres.
Turbine specifications
| Category | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Blade length | 41 m |
| Rotor diameter | 82 m |
| Blade rotation speed | 14.4 rpm |
| Weight of blades | 7.5 tonnes |
| Weight of nacelle | 51 tonnes |
| Towers | Each tower comprises three sections: Top (27 tonnes), middle (25 tonnes) and bottom (37 tonnes). The towers are hollow with an internal access ladder for maintenance |
| Blade material | Blades are made from fibreglass-reinforced polyseter |
Community fund
AGL seeks to make a positive contribution to the Yorke Peninsula and every community in which it operates. As a major employer and investor in the region, AGL has partnered with the Yorke Peninsula Council to administer a fair and transparent community grants fund. The AGL Wattle Point Wind Farm Community Fund has been designed to support communities surrounding AGL operations on the Yorke Peninsula.
Applications for the Community Fund open once a year to support local community initiatives and/or activities.
For more information about the Community Fund, please contact AGLCommunity@agl.com.au.
You can also get in touch with us through the AGL Community Complaints and Enquiries Hotline: 1800 039 600.
AGL Community Energy Offer
At AGL, we understand that there needs to be a benefit to the communities that surround our electricity and gas generation sites. That’s why, in 2019, we launched a specialised Community Offer that is tailored to the communities in which we operate.
Visit agl.com.au/CommunityOffer to check your eligibility and to sign up.
