Denmark Community Windfarm ( DCW ) originated as a local response to the global challenge of climate change. Since the first community workshops in 2003 the vision has been for Denmark to own and operate its own windfarm.

THE PROPOSAL

The Denmark community windfarm project is the first of its kind in Australia. It is a $2.6m community-scaled embedded generation project, owned and operated by the Denmark community through an incorporated association, Denmark Community Windfarm Inc (DCW).

It is proposed to erect two 900kW Enercon E44 wind turbines with a total installed capacity of 1.8MW on a small section of a disturbed coastal reserve, south of an existing limesand quarry at Wilson Head, Denmark (see map). Electricity will be generated into the Western Power grid.

Two years’ data were collected from a monitoring mast at the site, indicating a site efficiency of >35% – similar to Albany and among the best in the world.

The windfarm site is a 50ha “Wind Energy Facility” zone (WEF) occupying a small portion of Reserve 24913. The final footprint, including access roads, hardstands and other infrastructure will occupy about 1ha, or less than 0.5% of the reserve. The WA state government approved rezoning in November 2005.

The project has environmental approval from the WA Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and federal Department of Environment and Heritage (DEH), and is supported by all relevant state government agencies.

GHD, a leading Perth civil engineering firm, has recently completed the project’s final feasibility study, which shows the project to be technically and financially viable.

WHO IS DCW?

DCW is a not-for-profit community group, incorporated in September 2003 to progress legal and financial structures for an organisation to own and operate the windfarm. As the public face of the project DCW has generated many thousands of dollars' “sweat equity” through meetings, public workshops,social events and discussion groups.

DCW will hold shares in Denmark Power Company, the registered corporate entity responsible for taking the project from final feasibility to construction and operation.

DCW currently has a membership of about 240. Its management committee of seven, plus ex officios meets monthly and on an as-needs basis.

Please note this website is still under development, we apologise for any errors and welcome your feedback.

This project is supported by funding from the Australian Government under its Regional Partnerships programme and the State Sustainable Energy Development Office

Denmark Community Windfarm Inc. ABN 72 668 575 623 PO Box 518 Denmark WA 6333