At a Glance
LOCATION:
Snowtown, South Australia
Commissioned
2008
Max Capacity
370 MW
Annual output
1,335 GWh
Trustpower is the sole owner of Snowtown Wind Farm (stage one and stage two), with operations and maintenance activities undertaken by the wind turbine suppliers.
The wind farm is located 5km west of Snowtown and 170km north of Adelaide in South Australia. The wind farm is positioned on private farmland along the Barunga and Hummocks Ranges. These ranges are part of a number of low-lying ridgelines running north-south in the mid-north region of the state. The elevation of the Ranges varies from approximately 300m to 430m above sea level.
Snowtown Stage One
In September 2008, the first power was exported from Snowtown stage one. The 100 MW of installed capacity produces an average of 346 GWh of electricity per year and offsets the equivalent of 345,000 tonnes of CO2. A single Suzlon S95 2.1MW turbine was added in 2011.
The 47 Suzlon S88 2.1 MW turbines have a hub height of 80m and a blade length of 43m. The single Suzlon S95 2.1 MW turbine has a hub height of 80m and has a blade length of 46.5m.
The electricity generated from stage one is connected into the Para-Hummocks national electricity line from the stage one substation located Northwest of the Snowtown township.
Snowtown Stage Two
In October 2013, the first power was exported from Snowtown stage two. The 270 MW of installed capacity produces an average of 989 GWh of electricity per year and offsets the equivalent of 700,000 tonnes of CO2.
Snowtown stage two is comprised of 10 SWT 101 3.0 MW and 80 SWT 108 3.0 MW turbines. Both turbines utilise permanent magnet generators and direct drive technology. The 10 SWT 101 turbines have a hub height of 80m and a blade length of 49 m. The 80 SWT 108 turbines have a hub height of 80m and a blade length of 53m.
The electricity generated from stage two is connected into the Para-Bungama national electricity line from the stage two substation located Southwest of the Snowtown township at Barunga Gap.
Environment and community
Trustpower has a long established commitment to both Snowtown and the wider community through the Lend a Hand Foundation. This Foundation provides support for local community projects, charities, schools and individuals when they need it most. Run in conjunction with the Snowtown Lions Club, this initiative contributes funds and resources annually to the Snowtown community.
There is an ongoing commitment to Aboriginal heritage, with surveys, monitoring, artefact preservation and agreed exclusions areas. Trustpower supports heritage initiatives and has made contributions to Aboriginal community funds.
Trustpower has also implemented a significant Environmental offset programme of over 104 hectares. This has resulted in improved native grasslands biodiversity, improved land productivity and habitat protection for pygmy blue tongue lizards. As part of the stage two development there was also a native tree and shrub planting programme.
General information
Please click here to view the Snowtown Wind Farm Layout.
Please click here to view the Snowtown Wind Farm Fact Sheet.
Snowtown Wind Farm