WINDMILL FOR ELECTRICITY

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27690, 21 June 1955, Page 13

WINDMILL FOR ELECTRICITY

Unit Built In Orkneys (Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 10.30 p.m.) LONDON, June 2*J. The most powerful windmill in the world—a 100 kilowatt wind-powered electric generator—has been erected in the Orkneys for the North of Scotland Hydro-electric Board. The windmill, which has a helicopter type blade, is to be used to feed power into the local electricity network which is normally supplied by diesel engine generators. It is the forerunner of much larger, permanent machines, of which the next stage is a 250 kilowatt unit now under construction. “Engineers have been working on this project for a number of years; and the John Brown Company, which built it, is confident that there is considerable scope for large reliable windmills in many parts of the world,” says the “Scotsman.” “The windmill is erected on the top of an 80ft steel framework tower. It runs unattended to generate electricity, thus saving the power station's most valuable fuel. “The windmill is an experiment, but it might be the start of a new form of cheap power. It is thought that in years to come huge windmills, each capable of lighting a small town, may be - dotted around the headlands of Britain. “Several countries are interested in this machinery, including Australia, Denmark. Burma. Israel, Netherlands and South America.”