I visited Port de Paix

Discovering Wind Energy Pioneers: The GROWIAN Wind Turbines in Haiti

Unearthing Energy History in Port-de-Paix

During a visit to Port-de-Paix, located in the Nord-Ouest department of Haiti, I stumbled upon a fascinating relic from the world of renewable energy: a line of GROWIAN wind turbines. These towering structures, standing tall against the backdrop of Haiti’s landscapes, are not just ordinary wind turbines; they represent a significant chapter in the history of wind energy development.

GROWIAN: A German Engineering Marvel

The GROWIAN wind turbines, stemming from German engineering, were among the most ambitious and pioneering projects in the 1980s. GROWIAN stands for “Große Windkraftanlage”, which translates to “large wind turbine” in English. The project was initiated to test and advance wind technology during a time when renewable energy was gaining traction globally.

Distinctive Features

What makes these wind turbines particularly notable is their unique design. Unlike the more commonly seen three-bladed wind turbines, the GROWIAN turbines were designed with two blades. These turbines are also “lee runners”, which means the rotor is situated on the downwind side of the tower, a configuration that was experimental during their time.

With a hub height reaching approximately 100 meters (330 ft), they were among the tallest wind turbines of their era. This height not only allowed them to capture wind more efficiently but also made them iconic landmarks in the regions where they were erected.

From Kaiser-Wilhelm-Koog to Haiti

Originally built in the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Koog near Marne, Germany, these turbines were intended primarily for technology testing. The choice of this location in Germany was strategic, given its windy conditions, ideal for testing the turbines’ efficiency and resilience. How and why they made their way to Port-de-Paix remains a topic of intrigue, hinting at the global reach and influence of renewable energy initiatives.

The presence of the GROWIAN wind turbines in Haiti serves as a reminder of the early days of wind energy exploration and the global collaboration involved in advancing renewable energy. These turbines, while they may appear as mere structures, carry with them a rich history of innovation, experimentation, and the relentless human pursuit to harness nature’s power sustainably.

For a long time Growian was the world’s largest wind turbine. Many features of the installation were novel and had not previously been trialled at this scale. Due to manufacturing faults in the casing, the turbine could not be run at full performance, and various issues with materials and construction prevented continuous testing. Consequently, the installation was idle for the greater part of the period between the first test run on 6 July 1983 and end of operations in August 1987. Growian was decommissioned over the course of 1987, and dismantled in summer 1988. (Wikipedia source)