Enchanting Bangui: Chasing the Windmills!

Off to the Windmills! :)

It was hot Sunday afternoon and Kuya Rey drove his tricycle after our lunch break at KangKang Windmill Cafe. Travel time was only 10 minutes and we headed to the main attraction of Bangui, The Windmills. Kuya Rey suggested to be at the first windmill in order to have a great view of the remaining 19 windmills. The moment we arrived there, it was a breathtaking view. But before that, let me give you a brief background about these gigantic windmills at Bangui, Ilocos Norte.

Bangui, Ilocos Norte. Source: Wikipedia

one of the windmills

lined up

Bangui bay

It was also named The Northwind Bangui Bay Project. It was already planned during 90's by former Governor Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos as a source of renewable energy. They conducted a study about a better place in building these structures and Bangui was a great place due to location of high wind index. Built on two phases where Phase I was finished last June 20, 2005. It consists of 15 wind turbines (windmills). It was arranged in a single row along Bangui Bay, stretching South China Sea. Each wind turbines were spaced by 326 meters apart. Towering a height of 70 meters which looked like a 20-storey building, with 41 meters motor blade.  Additional 5 wind turbines were built on Phase II on year 2008 to increase the capacity of electricity to 33MW.

Trivia: Did you know that Bangui Windmills are the biggest in Southeast Asia and one of a kind structures in the Philippines? It sells 40% electricity to Ilocos Norte and reduced the cost of energy consumption because its renewable. Take note, 50% of electricity consumption of SM Megamall (one of the largest malls in the Philippines) is whole energy consumption of Ilocos Norte, provincial wide.

stood at the first windmill

look at those motor blades!

other 19 wind turbines

Wind was blowing from the bay so no wonder this project stood on this location. I heard the sound of motor blades rotating. It was quite scary at first but I immediately enjoyed the beat of it. I was amazed the one of a kind beauty so I took photos after photos. Thanks to Kuya Rey for being a photographer while taking some shots with those windmills. :)

Welcome to Bangui Windmills!

Smile! :)

at the Windmill

picture time! :)

thanks to Kuya Rey

great to be here!

It was a great place to visit and make sure you come to this place because you will enjoy it. It's so nice that you explore and learn at the same time. Bangui Wind Farm is not just a tourist place, but also a project that helps people in Ilocos Norte in sustaining renewable energy.

Miniature windmills. Bought two of them

Great Panoramic Shot

How to get there?

via car / van - once you reached Laoag City, head to Manila North Road by passing Gov. Segundo Avenue. Travel along the highway and you will pass three towns: Bacarra, Pasuquin and Burgos. Once you reach Bangui welcome arch, look for Barangay Baruyen and turn left to the road to Bangui Wind Farm. You will pass dirt and rocky road. Travel time takes 2 hours.

via commute - ride a bus at the terminal which located at the back of the Provincial Capitol. Buses usually bound to Pagudpud. Fare costs PHP50. Tell the bus conductor to drop you off to Barangay Baruyen road to the windmills. Travel time takes 2 hours plus additional 20 minutes tricycle ride from national road to the wind farm. Tricycles available once you drop off from the bus. You may hire the tricycle driver for a tour or just ride and bring you to the wind farm. Tricycle fare ranges from PHP20 to PHP30.

More Ilocos trip to the next blog! :)