Last Saturday I took a day trip to the Atlantic Wind Power Corporation’s wind farm in Pubnico, NS. Built in 2005 and situated on a large piece of land right on the southeast coast of Nova Scotia, there are a total of 17 wind turbines all generating 30.6 megawatts of energy in tandem. We have all seen wind turbines plastered over the internet on environmentally-focused websites, in print ads, and on TV, but have you ever seen one “in the flesh?” I had never seen a turbine up close and personal and I must say, it was definitely an experience and well worth the 3 and a half hour drive from Halifax. You might be thinking – “They’re only wind turbines…what’s the big deal?” Well, I have to say that it was a very formidable experience and surprisingly helpful and informative.

After heading through rural countryside and typical Nova Scotian sea-faring towns I suddenly saw them in the distance. There were a total of 17 turbines, of which I could only see 4, all harnessing the power of the wind off the North Atlantic. I was immediately struck by their size even from a few kilometers away and found myself mesmerized by their movement. Upon arrival to the wind farm itself, it was easy to see why each turbine takes so long to build – these things are HUGE. It’s difficult to effectively put their sheer size into terms, but saying they’re “huge” is quite an understatement. After getting out of the car the first thing you notice is the persistent wind. The piece of land that the turbines were placed on offers the perfect conditions for just this purpose. The wind literally never stops and is really quite strong at all times which makes for ideal wind power conditions.

Apparently a local man from Pubnico county purchased the land for $10,000 several years ago. The sellers couldn’t understand why he wanted the land so badly, but I’m sure it became clear to them shortly after the first turbine was added.

The second thing you notice is the sound. Each turbine emits a deep and distinctive “woosh” sound as each blade swings by and it was apparently enough to drive this family out of their home! Standing underneath each of them is actually quite frightening and intimidating. You can’t help but wonder “What if one of these suddenly malfunctioned and fell?” Each turbine has a female name and are arranged in neat rows to maximize their effectiveness. I found myself constantly looking up and not wanting to look away – they’re really quite fascinating.

I’ve used the “iconic wind turbine” in plenty of web and print designs in the past and who hasn’t? It’s become a standard visual cue for environmental responsibility and is now highly recognized because of that. I found I had little respect and understanding for them in the past and I suppose you could say I was a tad ignorant as well since I lacked the necessary knowledge. After visiting the wind farm, however, all of that changed. I found myself specifically more interested in how they work, how they’re built, and what they actually do to help the environment. I find myself doing plenty of research on the subject and gaining some very informative knowledge. I now have a profound respect for wind power and I can see just one of the many ways that Nova Scotia is taking the “green initiative.” In closing, I can safely say that this trip was truly inspirational and I highly recommend it to anyone who’s interested. A very humbling experience, it will almost certainly change your outlook.