Woolnorth Renewables
Woolnorth Renewables has been producing wind power for nearly 20 years and owns and operates three wind farms in Tasmania.
Two wind farms are at Woolnorth in the far north-west of Tasmania, located atop the cliffs on the picturesque western coast of Tasmania, taking advantage of the Roaring 40s winds. The third wind farm is at Cape Portland on the north-east coast of Tasmania.
The wind farms take advantage of the world-class resources that we are exposed to in Tasmania, with a total of 118 wind turbines generating approximately 9 percent of Tasmania’s electricity needs.
Location
Studland Bay is situated on the historic Woolnorth grazing property on the north west tip of Tasmania. There are 25 Vestas V90 wind turbines at the site giving a total installed capacity of 75 MW. The turbines are mounted on top of towers that are 80m high with blades that are 44m long.
Just a little further north is Bluff Point Wind Farm which has 37 Vestas V66 wind turbines at the site giving a total installed capacity of 64.75 MW. The turbines are mounted on top of towers that are 60m high with blades that are 32m long.
In the north east of Tasmania is Musselroe Wind Farm with 56 Vestas V90 wind turbines with a total installed capacity of 168 MW. These have blades that are 44m long mounted on top of towers that are 80m high.
Environmental Benefits
From an environmental perspective the wind farms are closely managed in addition to the land they occupy. Ensuring strict compliance with environmental regulations and obligations the focus areas are:
- Understanding if the wind farm effects birds and bats through detailed, rigorous scientific studies.
- Investigating if there is an impact on any flora or fauna, if necessary, aiming to mitigate it, or if this is not possible, implement an offset program which aims to have a net positive effect on the species.
- Managing land for the future – preventing erosion and the protection of any native vegetation.
- Continually monitoring the wind farms for areas of improvement or issues of non-compliance.
- Ensuring adequate response to any incident or emergency.
Examples of environmental projects include ‘Where Where Wedgie’ Field Surveys, support of the ‘Save the Tasmanian Devil Program’ and the new ‘Robin Radar’ avian-specific remote monitoring of birds that can initiate the shutdown of turbines.
Local Benefits
Woolnorth Renewables is very supportive of local communities in terms of employment (more than 40 people are employed to support the operation), trading with local businesses whenever possible as well as sponsoring and encouraging local community projects such as –
- Mannalargenna Festival Days
- The Royal Flying Doctor Mobile Dental Clinic
- Bridport Surf Life Saving Club Nippers Program
- Defibrillator Units for Local Fire Brigades,
- Tassie Scallop Fiesta
- Smithton Basketball Club
- Clean Energy Open Day
- The Northeast Rivers Festival
- Pony Club State Trials
- Veteran Car Club Crack Plug Run
- Circular Head and Scottsdale Shows
- Twilight on the Duck Festival
- Peter Waddle Memorial Rally
- Bridport 10+ Fun Run
- Second Bite Food Program
- UTAS bursaries for Smithton, Scottsdale, St Helens and Circular Head students.
Health and Safety
Woolnorth Renewables is committed to effectively managing all health, safety and environment aspects of the business. This is done by implementing and following a health, safety and environment management system and by ensuring they maintain 100% compliance with all legal obligations.
Visit a Wind Farm
At Woolnorth, a Visitors Centre is provided for the exclusive use of Woolnorth Tours who conduct year-round tours of the wind farms and adjoining historic Woolnorth dairy property.
Details of the tours can be found on their website –www.woolnorthtours.com.au.
With its spectacular views of Bass Strait and the Musselroe Wind Farm, the Tebrakunna Visitor Centre is accessible from the road to Little Musselroe Bay on Cape Portland Road. The centre is located on the right just before the Little Musselroe Bay recreation area.
The centre includes informative displays about the wind farm, the traditional landowners, the history of the Cape Portland property, and the maritime and mining history of the north-east region.
The Tebrakunna Visitor Centre is a 25-minute drive from Gladstone.
Parking and toilets are available. Guides are not provided at this site.
Check our website for opening times as they vary throughout the year.
From St Helens, the trip will take around one hour on the Ansons Bay, North Ansons Bay and Browns Bridge roads.
From Bridport, the trip will take around 40 minutes on the Waterhouse Road to Gladstone, then 25 minutes to the wind farm on the Cape Portland Road.
Find out more
For more information about Woolnorth Renewables please visit their website:
https://woolnorthrenewables.com.au
Have a question? Get in touch via
Tel:1800 870 776