Turbine blade transport crew guides 80-metre blade through Newcastle with
Transport crews are moving an 80-metre wind turbine blade through NSW to a Squadron Energy wind farm near Wellington.
An 80-metre wind turbine blade left Newcastle port and headed inland toward the NSW Central Slopes. The blade is destined for a Squadron Energy wind farm that will generate electricity for about 220,000 homes.
Wind turbine blades are the largest single-component objects humans regularly build or move, according to engineer Dr Rosemary Barnes. Longer blades capture more wind and generate more power per rotation.
Large turbines are more efficient than dozens of smaller ones. Blades must be built as single pieces rather than assembled parts.
They withstand repeated extreme bending as they spin for about 30 years. A large blade can bend 10 to 15 metres from a straight line in extreme conditions.
Transport specialist Steve Spiller and his team navigate the blade through suburban Newcastle and the Hunter Valley along the Golden Highway.
- 80 metres
- Blade length
- About 220,000
- Homes powered
- 10 to 15 metres in extreme conditions
- Extreme bending range
- About 30 years
- Blade lifespan
Why it mattersWind turbine blades are stronger as single pieces, making their transport through populated areas an engineering challenge that takes careful planning.
AustraliaNSW and Australia's renewable energy projects depend on these transport operations to move components to construction sites across the country.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 6 d ago
