Authors: Craig Chappelle & Taryn Lane
Denmark began generating its own wind energy on 20 February 2013 - the first time in the district's 102 year history that electricity was not sourced almost exclusively from fossil fuels.
It is Australia's third such venture to become operational, after Hepburn (Vic) and Mt Barker (WA).
The windfarm's output is so far exceeding expectations
About
Two 800kW Enercon E48 turbines supply about 50% of the local domestic demand. They also prevent the release of up to 6000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually. The project has planning permission for up to two more turbines.
Local expertise was employed in all phases of the project, from planning to surveying, roadworks, internal electrical works, switchroom construction, executive management and financial oversight. Energy is exported into the regional grid via a long-term contract with Synergy.
The project has 115 investors, 90% of them locals. A percentage of profits will be returned directly to the community via a grants fund. The community fund is managed by DCW Inc, the founding body and a shareholder in the operating company.