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The Albany Wind Farm
Albany, Western Australia |
 The
Albany Wind Farm is the largest and newest wind farm in Australia.
The wind farm walk offers spectacular views of the twelve eco-friendly
turbines along the Torndirrup peninsula. The turbines lower WA's
greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 77,000 tonnes per year.
(hooray!)
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The wind farm is open to the public every day of the year and is
free to visit. A large car park, information panels and both paved
and board walked pathways make this a delightful trip for everyone.
Walk
a small section of the Bibbulmun Track which winds it's way west
in front of these spinning giants (see videos below).  The
lookout (pic below) is ideal for spotting Southern Right and Humpback
wales between the months of May and October.
The Wind Farm is run by Verve
Energy. South West of the Wind Farm is the Torndirrup
National Park, which has The Gap and Natural Bridge granite
formations.
This section of the coastline is nature at it's
rawest. It is both awe inspiring and humbling. |
The
Bibbulmun Track winds along the coastline. There are many curcular
walks from the carpark which take you across wooden walkways and
paved trails through this magnificent ecologically friendly solution
to our carbon footprint.
This is one of my favourite photographs.
Descending the Torndirrup peninsula
from the Bibbulmun Track
near the Albany Wind Farm.
EXTREME CAUTION:
the Great Southern Ocean coastline is prone to surges,
and has VERY large waves. DO NOT go near
the ocean along the Torndirrup Peninsula.
Always keep your eyes on
the ocean. Your safety is your responsibility.
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 You can view the Albany Wind Farm Construction on the Verve Energy Website. Though massive machines, the benefits are only now becoming more and more apparent. Their website says,
"In an average year the wind farm produces about 77,000,000 units of
electricity, though this does vary depending on how windy the year is.
In 2001, this amount of energy was equivalent to about 75% of the City
of Albany's electricity requirements and enough to supply about 15,000
average homes."
The way of the future? I think so. The ABC has only this September (2008) stated that Verve Energy intends to put an additional six wind turbines out at Grasmere in April 2009. Mayor Milton Evans is 'delighted'. The addition of six more turbines means that the windfarm will supply 90% of Albany's electricity needs. Go Albany! |
