Wind Farm Open Day

Mumbida Wind Farm is the latest addition to the Midwest renewable energy precinct. With 22 massive wind turbines, Mumbida is also one of the most advanced wind farms in Australia.
Now Midwest residents have the opportunity to get up close to these impressive structures during a Community Open Day on Friday afternoon 27 September 2013. The wind farm will be officially opened by Energy Minister Mike Nahan that morning.
Located near Walkaway approximately 40 kms south of Geraldton, Mumbida began operating last May and is achieving good performance from the regions’ notorious winds.
During the Open Day, visitors will be taken on guided coach tours of the site and provided with an overview of the wind farm which can produce up to 55 megawatts of clean green energy; enough for about 40,000 average households.
Visitors also can take part in the "Name a Turbine" competition, receive giveaways and enjoy complimentary refreshments including a sausage sizzle cooked up by the Walkaway P&C team. Courtesy coaches will take visitors from Geraldton to the wind farm and nearby Greenough River Solar Farm. Registration is necessary (details below).
Mumbida Wind Farm General Manager, Hugh Webster, said that inevitably people were impressed when they got close up to wind turbines. "They really are outstanding structures - 85m towers carrying three 50m blades. The tips of the blades are moving at close to 200kmh. Visiting Mumbida during the Community Open Day will be well worth the effort," Mr Webster said. He added: "And while you're in the district, why not go across to the nearby Greenough River Solar Farm, which also will be open to the public. Opened 12 months ago, it is the biggest commercial solar farm in Australia."
Mumbida Wind Farm was developed in joint venture by Verve Energy and Infrastructure Capital Group, and built by Leighton Contractors and GE (who provided the 22 2.5MW wind turbines). The project cost approximately $200 million.
About 100 people, most of them locals, were employed during construction and five local people continue to work at the wind farm for its 20 year operational life.
Water Corporation is taking the total output of the Mumbida Wind Farm as well as Greenough River Solar Farm to offset the energy requirements of its Southern Seawater Desalination plant.

OPEN DAY DETAILS
The Mumbida Wind Farm Community Open day is on Friday afternoon 27 September 2013 between 1.00pm and 3.30pm with courtesy buses operating from the Bill Sewell Complex. Please register to secure your seat by contacting 9964 6088 or e-mail rsvp@jmefm.com