Newly-operational 1.0 megawatt wind turbine at Walmart distribution center in Red Bluff, Calif.
Celebrating a renewable energy milestone, U.S. Congressman Wally Herger joined Walmart in the northern California town of Red Bluff on Monday for a dedication ceremony at the company’s first large-scale wind turbine.
Expected to generate approximately 2,200,000 kilowatt hours of power per year, the GE SLE 1.0 Megawatt Wind Turbine will provide as much as 20 percent of the electricity needed to run the nearby Walmart distribution center.
No less impressive is its sheer size. With a tower measuring 265 feet in height and blades spanning 250 feet in diameter, it is roughly the height of a typical 20-story building and can be spotted from miles away. (See slideshow of project under construction.)
Walmart associates and Congressman Herger lead a cheer at the ribbon cutting ceremony (From l. to r. Kim Saylors-Laster, Congressman Wally Herger, Laura Wilkin, Deborah Herron and Darwyn Jones).
To recognize our company’s contributions to the local community and economy as a responsible producer of renewable energy, Congressman Herger awarded Walmart and its partner, Foundation Windpower, each with a Certificate of Congressional Recognition.
Perhaps I miss the cost of the turbine, however I believe it would be substancial. To produce just 20% evidently means the other 80% would come from another source, most likely from either natural gas, hydro or nuclear. While it has it`s place to produce power, wind power along with solar work at the wims of nature and cannot be relied upon 100% of the time. I do not believe wind and solar could ever take the place of the power plants that produce power at the present time. Another thing, solar and wind power can only be installed where conditions are best suited best for them to operate. The wind turbines located at Altamont Pass are very expensive to operate due to maintance. Nuclear is the answer to long term power needs as they have come along way.