Wind turbines
Standing on top of a steep hill off the Susquehanna River, two wind turbines spin. The Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority in cooperation with PPL Renewable Energy installed the two turbines in 2010.
The 262-foot tall turbine bases are equipped with 131-foot blades.
Their location atop Turkey Point is the key to their success. The west-northwest wind currents accelerate up the steep hill and produce an average wind speed of 14.5 miles per hour.
Renewable energy
Together, the 262-foot tall turbines produce 3.2 megawatts of electricity. That’s enough energy to power 750 homes or 25% of the annual electricity needs of the nearby Turkey Hill Dairy plant.
From a distance, it’s hard to grasp how big they are. You have to stand beneath them to appreciate their size. Fortunately, a mild, 1-mile hike up the Turkey Hill trail beginning at the Enola Gay Low Grade Rail Trail in Washington Boro gives you the opportunity.
But the real reward of the hike is the great overlook of the Susquehanna River.
The scenic overlook at the end of the Turkey Hill trail provides a great view of the Susquehanna River.
