January 18, 2012
South Carolina

NMB propels wind energy plans

By Evan Lambert, WMBF News Reporter, www.wmbfnews.com 18 January 2012

Wednesday crews began installation of two additional wind turbines in North Myrtle Beach.

City leaders say it’s part of the community’s effort to go green and create new industry along the Grand Strand. The first wind turbine was installed last winter.

Pat Dowling, spokesman for North Myrtle Beach, said each additional turbine allows a team of researchers to learn more about the sustainability of wind energy on the Grand Strand.

“We need to see what the potential is for wind power along the strand and North Myrtle Beach just happens to be positioned that it does receive quite a consistent wind,” said Dowling.

The hope is to bring industry to North Myrtle Beach and capitalize off of the unique opportunity. Dowling says the project is maintained by the North Strand Coastal Wind Team, which is made up of members from Coastal Carolina University, North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce and the city.

The two newest turbines will go up at the Oceanfront Park at 1st Avenue South and the Burgess Coastal Reserve in Cherry Grove. After the foundations have time to set the structures should be up and running by the end of February.

Dowling says the city approved six total turbine sites, and they’ll be built with funds from state grants.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/18/nmb-propels-wind-energy-plans/