Uh-oh: Heavy seas damage blades destined for Antarctic windfarm

The notoriously rough Southern Ocean is routinely navigated by navy vessels (like the pictured NZDF ship) and resupply ships for Antarctic bases. (Images: NZME)

Oliver Lewis

Fri, 21 Mar 2025

Several wind turbine blades intended for a new Antarctic windfarm have been returned to New Zealand after suffering damage during the voyage.Antarctica NZ announced in 2023 that it had selected newer, more powerful turbines from European supplier EWT to replace three turbines at a windfarm supplying renewable energy to Scott Base and McMurdo Station.The project was initially bundled together with the Scott Base redevelopment project, which floundered in 2024 after Antarctica NZ failed to reach acceptable commercial terms with its preferred cont...

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