en.Wedoany.com Reported - Canadian paper mill Port Hawkesbury Paper Inc. has announced plans to build North America's largest wind turbine as part of a $450 million renewable energy project, expected to meet over 60% of the mill's annual energy needs.
Port Hawkesbury Paper Inc., a global leader in thermomechanical pulp (TMP) and paper production headquartered in Nova Scotia, Canada, will build up to 31 giant turbines at its Goose Harbor Lake wind farm, each with a generating capacity of up to 6.9 megawatts (MW). Upon completion, the project will reduce the mill's reliance on the provincial power grid and meet over 60% of its annual electricity demand. These N163/6.X turbines are supplied by German wind energy company Nordex SE, which specializes in cold-climate operation technology. Each turbine stands as tall as a 40-story building.
The project was initiated after a January cold snap, when wind chill temperatures dropped below minus 22 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 30 degrees Celsius). The freezing weather exposed the limitations of existing turbines, with wind power generation plummeting from approximately 350 MW in the morning to just 75 MW in the evening. To address similar challenges in the future, the new N163/6.X turbines are equipped with a proprietary electro-thermal anti-icing system that actively heats critical areas on the rotor surface to prevent blade icing.
According to Nordex, these turbines are designed to operate continuously under the extreme cold conditions that challenge wind farms in winter. Icing is a major issue for wind farms, as it increases blade weight and forces operators to shut down equipment. Jay Woodworth, Director of Business Development at Port Hawkesbury Paper, stated that the company consumes up to 25% of Nova Scotia's grid power during peak demand periods.
The turbines planned for Goose Harbor Lake are among the largest ever deployed in North America. Each turbine has a rotor diameter of 535 feet (163 meters), equivalent to 1.5 football fields. The new turbines will be installed on steel towers 387 feet (118 meters) tall, comparable to the height of a 40-story building. Each turbine can generate up to 6.9 MW. According to the company, such a large rotor is crucial for increasing power generation, as a wider rotor sweeps a larger area, capturing more wind energy and converting it into electricity.
"Bigger is better, especially when trying to capture wind energy," said John McComas, Chief Operating Officer of Nordex's North American operations. The project will ensure the long-term future of the paper mill and contribute to the province's clean energy goals. Woodworth concluded that the project was established to ensure the mill's sustainability, not only securing the mill and its related economy but also helping to green the power grid.
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