Page 15 - Sphere No.17 (Sep 2006)

SPHERE 13
FIRST-TIME HONG KONG VISITORS – and more than a few
locals – have been doing a double take recently as they pass
outlying Lamma Island. The tiny island’s latest attraction,
clearly visible from the ocean and from the windows of planes
making their final approach to the airport, is a wind turbine
perched on top of a hill.
The new structure has become something of a tourist attrac-
tion, a convenient stopping-off point for people hiking across
scenic hill trails, but its real purpose is more practical and
educational. Hongkong Electric built the USD2 million wind
turbine, known as Lamma Winds, to demonstrate a com-
mitment to sustainable energy – the power gen-
erated is enough to support the electricity
needs of a small village – and also to al-
low the public to learn more about the
practicalities of harnessing natural
resources such as the wind.
It is a fascinating topic to delve
into, and one that unearths surprises
galore. Even the most committed anti-
fossil-fuel-burning conservationist is
given pause for thought when confronted
with the problems of using sustainable energy,
particularly in a place such as Hong Kong where
land is at a premium.
Windmills, even hi-tech ones such as this,
about as far removed from the wooden-
bladed Dutch model as it is pos-
sible to get, can only gener-
ate limited amounts
of power;
in this case at far greater expense than conventional, coal-burn-
ing means.
Shipping lane problems
The triple-bladed wind turbine can crank out about 800 kilo-
watts, which is enough to power 8,000 100W light-bulbs – a
few strip-lights short of the energy needed to satisfy the air-
conditioned needs of Hong Kong’s population of 6.8 million
people. Hundreds more devices, arranged in serried ranks,
similar to the wind farms seen in California, or the Gobi Desert
in China’s remote, far-western Xinjiang province, would
be needed to serve Hong Kong’s needs. Given
its mountainous terrain and the ship-
ping-lane problems involved in build-
ing offshore wind farms, the city will
be relying on imported fuel sources
for many years to come.
Lamma Winds has made a major
contribution to Hong Kong society’s
awareness of the entire sustainable en-
ergy issue, providing a real-life example
that can be seen close up.
Simple though the concept is – the wind rotates
the blades and that, in turn generates power that goes into the
Hongkong Electric grid – it took meticulous planning before
building could start. Officials from the company talked to local
green groups and island residents about the most suitable spot
for the sizeable tower, which clearly had to be located in the
highest possible spot, within easy reach of Hongkong Electric’s
giant, sea-level Lamma Power Station.
Once the site was designated, a 20-minute hike up an access
road from the plant, officials had to secure planning permission.
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Hong Kong
wind turbine is a showcase
for green power
By Mark Graham