by Harletta Carthel
Hansford County has a new claim to fame as the home of the largest
wind generator in the US. Construction is nearing completion of the
giant wind turbine located approximately one mile South of Hitchland, Texas,
in Northern Hansford County. The Samson sized generator will produce
3 megawatts of electricity. Each of the three blades of the new turbine
measure 145 feet, making a 90 diameter wing span.
The model V-90 erected at the site is the newest model by Vestas, the
world's largest manufacturer of wind turbines. The turbine is 265
feet in height to the turbine's hub and has a 20 ton generator capable
of producing enough electricity to power 1,000 residential homes.
Jay Lobit of Great Plains Wind power says the turbine has the ability
to provide enough electricity for the entire city of Spearman on an optimum
windy day.
The Hansford County giant is the third of its kind with one erected
in Denmark and one in Brunswick, Canada. The Hansford site will help
in testing what components of the turbine need to be adapted to the US
since the electrical frequency differs in megacycles from those found in
Europe.
Energy from the 2.8 million dollar turbine will be sold to Southwestern
Public Service.
According to David Teal, Superintendent of GISD, the building of the
new turbine will not affect the tax base and does not meet the $10 million
dollar criteria required for filing of an application under House Bill
1200.
This giant will make a spectacular addition to the up and coming "Trail
of the Winds" connecting windmill collections from the Bergy Wind Farm,
Norman, Oklahoma, and including Elk City, Shattuck, Spearman, Whitedeer,
and Lubbock.