The 80 MW 'Emu Downs Wind Farm' () is a joint development between
Stanwell Corporation and
Griffin Energy and construction of the $180 million project commenced in November 2005. The site is approximately 200 kilometres north of Perth, near Cervantes and the project was commissioned in October 2006.
[1]
Emu Downs Wind Farm consists of 48
wind turbines (each with 1.65 MW generating capacity), a substation, interconnection to the main 132 kV electricity grid, administration and stores buildings, and a network of access roads. The wind farm is close to the coast, with a good quality wind resource that has increased wind speeds and reliability aligning with periods for peak power demand.
1
The wind farm provides electricity to run a
desalination plant, 160 miles to the south. The
Kwinana Desalination Plant, located just south of Perth, turns water from the
Indian Ocean into nearly 40 million gallons of drinking water per day.
[2]
Emu Downs Wind Farm is accredited under the Australian Government's ''Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000'' and as a Green Power Generator by the Sustainable Energy Development Authority.
1
See also
★
Wind farm
★
Wind power in Australia
References
1. Emu Downs Wind Farm
2. Australia Turns to Desalination Amid Water Shortage