Ross Island Wind Energy system
As part of the redevelopment, the wind farm above Scott Base will be upgraded and the three existing turbines will be replaced with three larger and more powerful ones.
Renewable energy
Three 330kW wind turbines currently supply renewable energy to power Scott Base and the neighbouring American base, McMurdo Station. The Ross Island Wind Energy system project links the electrical grids of both bases and reduces the carbon footprint of the Antarctic operations, as well as the environmental risks associated with transporting diesel fuel to Antarctica. A new Battery Energy Storage System will also be installed to store excess energy generated from wind.
The current wind turbines come to the end of their design life in 2030. One of the new turbines generates almost as much energy as the three current ones combined. The new renewable energy solution will, at a minimum, maintain existing renewable energy agreements with the United States Antarctic Program for McMurdo.
During the 2024/25 season, the construction team on ice completed the first foundation for one of the new wind turbines.
