Turbines for the Solomons

Woy Woy engineer Peter Lynch and his company Pelena launched their latest hydro-electric turbine for export to the Solomon Islands at Edogawa Gardens on Friday, September 2.

Produced in Pelena's factory at Somersby, the turbines are sent to regional communities in the Solomon Islands where they use the power generated by local rivers and streams to produce hydro electricity.

Mr Lynch and his Woy Woy company have so far supplied five other turbines to the Solomon Islands since the company's inception in 1998.

The turbines designed by Mr Lynch are made to be taken apart and transported in dug out canoes and across the arduous terrain of the Solomons.

The latest turbine will be sent to the people of Malita.

Each turbine can output up to 250 kilowatts.

The turbine launched on Friday will be able to produce 29 kilowatts, which will be enough to light up 80 homes and provide 450 people with electricity.

"I have seen the people's faces when lights first come on," Mr Lynch said.

"Life will never be the same again."

Mr Lynch has also worked in Bougainville, East Timor and Papua New Guinea.

"The potential is unlimited in this region of the world," My Lynch said.

Mr Lynch provided the local communities with training to operate the generator and Pelena offers back up service and support so that the turbines continue to be viable into the future.

Member for Robertson Mr Jim Lloyd speaking at the launch said that Pelena was another success story for the Central Coast.

"This is what the Central Coast is all about, small business and providing jobs," he said.

Alison Branley, September 5