Wind Energy Parts Offloaded at Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal

Friday, 26 June 2009

The first of six scheduled shipments of tower components used for alternative energy products arrived this week at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal, creating more business for the Port of San Diego.

After the General Electric towers are offloaded by longshore workers, they will be trucked to a wind farm in Palm Springs. In total, the Port will receive 300 tower sections. The next shipment is scheduled to arrive on July 6th.

At the wind farm, three of these 85-foot-long sections will be connected to create a 256-foot-high windmill tower. The tower components are imported from China.

The Port of San Diego regularly handles a variety of alternative energy components. Wind blades, rotors and other parts are imported from Japan. From the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal, they are trucked to wind farms in Texas, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. Port of San Diego tenant Knight and Carver Wind Group, located in National City, is also involved in research and development of wind blade technology.

“The Port of San Diego is in a key position to handle more alternative energy shipments due to our proximity to the Far East,” said Miguel Reyes, senior maritime trade account manager.

The goal of the Dept. of Energy is to have 20 percent wind energy by the year 2030. 2008 saw a record-breaking year of wind power installation.

Over the last few years, alternative energy products have become a primary import cargo at the 96-acre terminal. An increase in alternative energy imports is anticipated as windmill farms grow in national popularity due to the demand for energy that has less impact on the environment.

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