Winds of Change Blow on N.C. Coast
Wind turbines are not a new idea, but they are seldom seen anymore in North Carolina, but now people are giving them a second thought along the coast.
Posted — UpdatedThe National Park Service is using a wind turbine to generate electricity for the Coquina Beach bathhouse just south of Nags Head.
The 2.5-kilowatt wind turbine produces enough power to operate the bathhouse, and any leftover power is released into the local power grid. Officials said the power generated is small, but the implications are tremendous.
For beachgoers like Ann Hollowell, the wind can sometimes be a curse. She spent the day hunkered down between two dunes trying to block the windy chill coming off the water, but she knows that constant wind can also be a blessing.
At Jockey’s Ridge State Park, the idea is catching on. George Barnes, superintendent of the park, said the idea just makes sense.
Within a year, Barnes hopes to be operating at least one wind turbine to help generate power for the visitors center. He said the center gets 1.2 million visitors a year, and he hopes that project will help spread the word about wind power.
“It makes sense you would have something like that in this area,” Sclarancis said.
The Jockey’s Ridge wind turbine is expected to cost around $12,000.
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