The story of how a few determined young people decided to harness the wind, inspired a generation in the process and made an important impact on the history of wind power.
Trailblazer of the future
By MAYA GREEN
Once in a while, we do come across a helluva good story. When that happens, it opens up our eyes — and uplifts our spirits, even if it’s just for a moment. Recently, I did come across one such tale about wind power, and herein below it is shared.
Not many people are aware of, let alone know about, Tvindkraft, the giant wind turbine that was built in Denmark some 46 years ago. Not in this part of the world. I didn’t know, let alone have heard about Tvindkraft, until one Wednesday evening, on Valentine’s Day 2024, that is.
Yes, on Valentine’s Day, I heard a story; the moral of which I hope will be truly relevant to our only home planet in the entire universe. It’s a fitting Valentine’s Day message, I thought, for our planet. For we don’t know of any other planet earth like this one we now call home, and how we are beginning to appreciate that her welfare and our wellbeing are so intertwined. And hopefully, it is not too late for this realisation.
I came to know about this amazing story during a casual conversation at the cocktail reception before the start of the dinner of the EU Chamber-SarawakInvest which was held at the newly built Sheraton Hotel, Kuching. The event was very well attended by a strong delegation of embassy representatives from the EU and delegates from international industry players, as well as Malaysians.
That evening, over the pre-dinner drinks, our casual discussion revolved mainly around the subject of ESG, climate change, and clean energy — which was not surprising since the focus of the day’s deliberations and the highlight for the evening was on the very same subject matter. In mixing around and getting to know those present, I came to meet Gregers Reimman, my newly made acquaintance.
It was Gregers, a Dane, who told me about the amazing story of Tvindkraft, a windmill that has shaken up the world long before the current craze and excitement over clean energy have become the norm and the inevitable hot topic — not only in talks among energy circles everywhere but even in social media, amongst ordinary mortals like us — albeit of people decrying the effects of climate change and the inevitable disruptions on their daily lives.
I was told that Tvindkraft, the handmade windmill, was then the biggest wind turbine ever built and also the oldest megawatt-scale wind turbine in the world. It was built in 1978 in Denmark. This fact alone makes it one of the oldest, if not the oldest, still operating wind turbines anywhere. Yes, get that right; it is still operating now.
I have read somewhere that wind turbines have an average lifetime of about 25 years, but the world’s oldest operating example has been generating power for 41 years! It is still operating in the town of Tvind in Jutland, Denmark. So it looks like the Tvind wind turbine, known as the Tvindkraft, has earned itself the distinction of being the first multi-megawatt wind turbine in the world and the longest-operating giant.
But to me, that is not the only amazing fact about Tvindkraft. Equally amazing is the story of how Tvindkraft was built in the first place. It is a testament to the adage “we can do this ourselves” and also a fitting metaphor for the burning desire for clean, safe and sustainable energy around the world. Yes, they, the Danes, were already talking about the subject of clean and renewable energy back then. And doing something about it. Probably, they were not as excited about nuclear power as in other places and were looking for better and safer alternatives.
As demonstrated by the Tvindkraft project, we can do similar things. “We“ means ordinary people like us. Yes, amazingly, Tvindkraft was built by ordinary people — students, assisted by their lecturers, and other volunteers of scientists and technicians. Indeed, the world’s then-largest electricity-producing turbine was constructed on the school grounds in Tvind, Denmark, in the mid-1970s in a collaborative endeavour between volunteers, teachers and students. That, to me, is the amazing thing — this collaboration of efforts, especially amongst ordinary people.
Imagine a landmark project built by hippies, students and lecturers — you know, just like some of us who grew up in the 1970s when wearing bell bottom pants and colourful dresses were the in-things! And also the wearing of flowers in the hair, one might add. Yes, the long, overflowing hairdos were nothing out of the ordinary. In fact, in hindsight, those were really ‘cool’ and ‘revolutionary’ days.
Coming back to now, it is important to note that Tvindkraft is a metaphor and powerful symbol for people power. From my conversation with Gregers, I understand that it is still standing and operating today. How’s that for persistence, sustainability and stamina? In fact, I saw a photo, which was apparently seen around the world in 1978, of students at the Tvind School carrying one of the wind turbine blades from its assembly hall to the wind turbine. Their spirit and persistence are apparent, even from that picture.
The picture in question was aptly captioned: The action was a not-so-veiled message: “We want wind power, and we will build.” I thought that was a cool caption and captured the essence of the project really well. It synthesised the message in this story: that indeed great things can happen when we tell ourselves, “We can do this ourselves!”
Yes, those few words — “we can do this ourselves” — if believed, meant and acted upon will open up doors of amazing power, energy, creativity and innovation. If in doubt as to the import of the phrase, just remember the story of Tvindkraft from Denmark.
The Tvindkraft is indeed an amazing and uplifting story. Well, to me, it was, and it still is. My gratitude to Gregers Reimann for bringing the story to my attention in the first place. As they say, a good story is always worth sharing with others. Hence, this write up and its posting.
