About Ross Island

Meridian has built the world’s southernmost wind farm, in partnership with Antarctica New Zealand. It’s located on Crater Hill, Ross Island, Antarctica.

Three wind turbines on Crater Hill supply renewable energy for New Zealand’s Scott Base and its neighbour, the American base at McMurdo Station.

Ross Island

Why build a wind farm here?

The wind farm reduces the carbon footprint of the Antarctic operations, as well as the environmental risks associated with transporting diesel fuel.

The bases’ annual fuel consumption has been cut by approximately 463,000 litres. Greenhouse gas production from both bases has been reduced by 1,242 tonnes of CO2.

The wind farm was built on Crater Hill as it has a high average annual wind speed of 7.9m/s or 28.4km/hr at 39m (the height of the wind turbine’s hub).

Crater Hill is also one of the few ice-free areas on Ross Island.

Building Ross Island

The conditions for developing and building this wind farm were unique and challenging.

We could only work on the site in the summer months, when there is daylight and conditions are slightly warmer.

The project needed world-leading skills and innovative technical solutions – and that’s where Meridian’s expertise came in.