Wind Mills in Ilocos, Norte Philippines

The Bangui Wind Mills were built by the NorthWind Power Development Corporation to take its share in reducing the emission of harmful greenhouse gases (GHGs) causing global warming and to accelerate the rural electrification of the goverment.

In this area, wind mostly comes from the north-east, from the sea towards the land. To optimize the full benefit of the winds, turbines are installed along the shore facing the sea effectively removing wind breaks and achieving a terrain roughness of class 0.

The 'Wind Farm" as it is aptly called consist of 15 wind turbines. The turbines are on-shore and arranged in a single row spaced 326 meters apart. The turbines hub height (ground level to center of nacelle - that part holding the blades) is 70 meters high (roughly equivalent to a 23 storey building), each blade is 41 meters long (just 9 meters shy of a Olympic sized pool) giving a rotor diameter of 82 meters and a wind swept area of 5,281 square meters.

Going there

From Laoag, take the Laoag - Cagayan route. About 5 minutes after Burgos town proper, a directional marker on the left side of the road will lead you to Bangui bay, which is the host of the wind turbines. This will lead you to a gravel road with a downward slope going down to the beach. Right after the first turn, you will already be awed by the sight of the wind mills, follow the road and make a right turn upon entering the beach.

Should you miss the first marker, go on and proceed to the Bangui Bay observation deck (this you will never miss, also on the left side of the road) where a picturesque view of the wind mills can be obtained. Thereafter, you can go on on the road and right before Baruyen bridge, another marker will be found leading to the wind turbines. Travel time from Laoag is about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Every body is welcome at the wind farm (you will not see any fence) and wonder at the beauty of the wind mills. Visitors are reminded, though, to --- Take nothing but pictures (and/or videos), leave nothing but footprints and retain nothing but memories.

Should you need more, than just wonder at the awesome view, students, professionals and the curious minds are welcome at the sub-station, during office hours, where somebody will always be ready to answer your questions. (source: waypoints.ph)

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