Three new wind turbines located between the United States' McMurdo Station and New Zealand's Scott Base provide alternative energy for both stations. Under optimal wind conditions the three turbines produce approxiamtely 330 kilowatts of electricity each, for a total of 990 kw. This would power approximately 100 average American households. This may save approximately 240,000 gallons of diesel fuel per year. The construction of the turbines is a joint project shared by the United States and New Zealand. This is the first electrical grid that connects two differnet nation's Antarctic stations' electrical systems into one common grid.

Credit: NSF/USAP photo by Mike Casey