Bangui Windmill Farm in Ilocos Norte: A Famous Tourism and Sustainable Attraction
If there is one thing that is synonymous to Ilocos Norte, that is no other than their iconic windmills!
Situated near the Bangui Bay in Ilocos Norte, Bangui Windmill Farm is the right destination for tourists who want to explore the northern region.
Operated by the NorthWind Power Development Corporation, Bangui Wind Farm was born out of a study done in 1996. 22 years later, the windmill farm is still standing strong, providing 50% or 33 megawatts of Ilocos Norte’s electricity.
It was Southeast Asia’s largest wind farm until its next-door neighbor, the Burgos Wind Farm, took the title in 2014. Even with the title stripped, it still draws more tourists than the Burgos Wind Farm because of its accessibility.
Each windmill turbine has three vertical rotor blades standing 70 meters high above the shore. There are a total of 20 turbines arranged on a single row along the shoreline of the Bangui Bay just in front of the West Philippine Sea.
Its location is an ideal area for wind turbines installation since it is near the Asia-Pacific monsoon where North Westerly winds are constant.
Not only are these wind turbines a sustainable environmental innovation, but it has also become a top tourist attraction in the province. It may also remind you of Denmark’s scenic windmill parks.
There are 20 windmills situated along Bangui Bay’s shoreline
Thousands of tourists visit Bangui Windmill Farm, especially during summer season. Good thing is that there are no fees to pay to get a stunning photo underneath one of the towering windmills. Make sure to visit the windmill farm during daylight to get a glimpse of the beautiful windmill attraction.
Also read: ILOCOS NORTE TRAVEL: Cape Bojeador Lighthouse Manifests a Tale of the Spanish Colonial Period
How to get here:
- From Laoag City, drive through Pan-Philippine Highway/AH26. You will pass by Cape Bojeador and Burgos Wind Farm. Make a left turn a few meters after passing by the Burgos Wind Farm. Drive straight ahead until you reach Estrells Place Resort, then turn right.
General Information:
Address: Bangui Bay, Bangui, Ilocos Norte
Business hours: Open 24 hours daily
A version of this appeared in Philippine Primer’s Japanese (Vol. 103) and English (Vol. 12) magazines
Updated as of March 13, 2019
