Giant Turbine Blade Finds Home At County Complex

By Linda Kor
   Anyone driving on Highway 377 toward Heber can’t help but notice the 412-foot wind machines doting the horizon. As big as the blades positioned on the turbines appear from a distance, they are even more impressive up close.
   A wind turbine blade destined for the Dry Lake Wind Project, located approximately 18 miles south-west of Holbrook, was damaged in a windstorm prior to set up and was recently donated by Blattner En-ergy to Navajo County for display.
   The 142-foot blade is now visible south of the entrance to the county governmental complex in Hol-brook for passersby to view.
   There was no cost to the county for having the blade transported or installed, but the county did build concrete blocks for the blade to be placed upon. A plaque will be placed in front of the blade designating it as a memorial to the first wind farm site in the state of Arizona.
   The blade is made of wood, Styrofoam and fiberglass, and weighs approximately 17,000 pounds.
   “It will be a nice way for the local folks to be able to view one of the components up close,” stated Na-vajo County Supervisor J.R. DeSpain. “It’s difficult to comprehend how huge these blades are when you’re just driving by the wind farm.”
   Visitors are welcome to come and view this tribute to the winds of Navajo County.