PETER ISLAND, BVI - Peter Island has announced plans for the purchase and installation of two 250 kW wind turbines on a southeast facing ridge of the small, mostly resort-occupied British Virgin Island located five miles south of Tortola.

The Peter Island Wind Project will be the first commercial wind turbine installation in the British territory and will save more than 100,000 gallons of diesel fuel per year or approximately $250,000 annually.

Peter Island will operate off the local government power grid with its own new diesel power plant and desalination facility at Stoney Bay. A wind study was conducted and calculated mean wind speed on the site at 14 mph. It is anticipated two turbines will provide in excess of 60% of the peak load energy requirements on the island.

Tim Currey, RA, NCARB, Director of Special Projects, URS Corporation states, “The Peter Island Wind Turbine Project will be a shining example of sustainability in the Caribbean environment. The project is a ‘win-win’ for all; The environment, Peter Island, the Resort and the entire BVI community. We are thrilled to be a part of this process.”

The wind turbine model selected is a WES30 Mk1 Hybrid from Netherlands-based, Wind Energy Solutions (WES). The turbine installation will be coordinated by Wolverine Power Solutions of Zeeland, MI and Kraus-Manning, Inc. (KMI) – Tortola will handle the Construction Management scheduling and services. Additional connectivity and controls design will be coordinated by Atlantic Controls based out of Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Proposed installation date for the wind turbines is scheduled for January 2010.

advertisement