1 MW wind farm inaugurated in Antarctica

(ADPnews) - Jan 18, 2010 - A New Zealand-US team cut the ribbon on their jointly developed 1 MW wind power project in Antarctica on Saturday.

The USD 11 million (EUR 7.6m) worth wind farm comprises three turbines, located on Crater Hill, half way between the US' McMurdo Station and New Zealand's nearby Scott Base.

Operating since December, the turbines are generating green electricity supplying 11% of the power for the two nations' science bases on the continents Ross Sea coast.

Speaking at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Alan Seay, spokesman for New Zealand's Meridian Energy, which installed the turbines, said that the facility could cut annual diesel use at the bases by 120,000 gallons (454,200 litres) and reduce annual carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 1,370 tonnes.

(USD 1.0 = EUR 0.695)

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