Bangui Windmills

Background

Bangui Windmills is located in the municipality of Bangui and is the first power-generating windmill farm in Southeast Asia. It is spread along the nine-kilometer coastline of Bangui facing the vast Bangui Bay. The windmills are positioned 326 meters apart and each windmill has a height of 229 feet or 70 meters. Also, each windmill has forty-one meters long blades with each long blade having a rotor diameter of eighty-two meters and a wind-swept area of 5281 square meters. Moreover, Bangui Windmills have a six-meter diameter base and it uses the V82 Vesta wind turbines that have a 1.65-megawatt capacity.

According to its history, Bangui Windmills was established by the NorthWind Power Development Corporation in the year 2005 and it was recognized as the first largest wind farm in Southeast Asia which consists of 15 windmills. Prior to its establishment in the year 1996, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) carried out a wind resource analysis and mapping study across the different provinces in the Philippines such as Batanes, Ilocos Norte, Samar, Cebu, Palawan, Negros Island, Panay Island, and Leyte to know which provinces are perfect for windmill installation. Hence, the research and investigation lead the way to the commencement of the windmill project in Bangui because they find out that the place along the shoreline is traditionally windy.

On the other hand, Vestas Wind Systems which is a Danish manufacturer of wind turbines across the world and is widely considered one of the energy industry’s global partners in sustainable energy solutions provides wind turbine-generator units to the Philippines which are very akin to those found in Denmark. The expected life span of the Bangui Windmills is estimated to be 21 to 25 years. The project faced a lot of challenges but in the end, it was well worth it to many Filipinos.

When the windmill is standing and fully operational (moving and spinning), the first to go there are engineering students and science students. Afterward, more and more people came because it is their chance to finally see a windmill in the Philippines. It was unintended but a very welcomed consequence of putting windmills in the province. As a result, over the years Bangui Windmills became a popular tourist destination in the Philippines and it contributes to more than forty percent of Ilocos Norte’s electricity needs through its linkage to the Luzon Grid.

The development of this environmentally friendly power production project is like hitting two birds with one stone, getting the benefits of both sustainable energy and a booming tourism industry in the Ilocos region brought by the influx of visitors which opens a lot of livelihood to the local people and opportunities for small businesses like hotels, restaurants, and souvenir shops. As of today, there are about more than 150 windmills in Ilocos Norte and the province is a major net exporter of power in the country.

Name: Bangui Windmills
Location: Bangui, Ilocos Norte, Philippines
Features: impressive view of Bangui Bay and coastline

My trip to Bangui Windmills

It was 3:40 pm when our group safely arrived at Bangui Windmills after our long road trip coming from Metro Manila. The moment I started walking toward the windmills, it came to my mind a flashback of my adolescent days when all we do is make fan blades out of coconut leaves and stick them every gusty afternoon. Anyway, after a few minutes, I was amazed by the scenery because it was my first time seeing a gigantic windmill in a very short distance. Also, it’s incredible to know that these windmills provided electricity to Ilocos Norte.

Then I noticed that the view here is surreal because it is near the shoreline and the beach is just as blue as the sky above and the sound of the strong waves hitting the shore feels like home. For this reason, I enjoyed taking videos and pictures of this breathtaking place. Without a doubt, it was a magnificent sight to behold. After a few minutes, we have our group picture taken with the background of the towering windmills on a bright sunny day.

I like the peaceful ambiance here as well as the fresh air and the awesome windmills that are perfectly aligned across the shoreline. My mind is so refreshed and all my problems in life just go away instantly. Also, the windmill humbles me and it reminds me that life is like a wheel, sometimes you are on the top and sometimes you are below but no matter what happens life goes on. In my opinion, Bangui Windmills is one of the best tourist spots in Ilocos Norte because of the superb view, and it’s not a usual sight here in the Philippines. It’s absolutely worth a visit.

Anyway, we didn’t get to explore much of the area because it was kinda hot at that time because of the super intense heat of the sun and the humidity of the place. I wish I could’ve stayed here longer but still, it was a notable moment for us. We only stay there for twenty minutes. After that, we go inside the van and later arrived at the Pagudpud Welcome Arch around 4:32 pm. From there we strike a pose for our solo and group picture in this famous landmark in Ilocos Norte.

How to Go to Bangui Windmills

By private vehicle

1. Open the Waze app on your smartphone and pin Bangui Windmills. 
2. From Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, drive across the Pan-Philippine Highway (AH26) until you reach the souvenir store section at the Bangui Windmills. Then make a left turn and drive straight towards the parking area.
   
   
   
   

Reminders and Tips:

• According to the local officials and vendors, swimming near the seashore is not allowed because the water is deep and the current is strong and the site is only for sightseeing and picture-taking. 

• There is no entrance fee or admission fee at Bangui Windmills and is open to the public.

• The best month to visit Bangui Windmills is from the month of December to April to have a clear view of the massive windmills as well as the seaside.

• There are stores and souvenir shops near the windmill where you can buy affordable and budget-friendly items.

• For the Bangui Windmills tour please visit this Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/BuhayKalyeGala021717 and leave a message.

• Last but not least, wear sandals or slippers when going to the windmills because the sand on the beach is grainy.
  
  
  

There you have it, windmills lover. When the wind of change blows some build walls while others build windmills. From top to bottom, I wish that this blog has been admiring to you. Enjoy your travel and God bless us all.