Time to invest in wind turbines THE EDITOR, Sir: ON READING the article 'Major generating capacity expansion coming - Matthews' in the Sunday Gleaner, and seeing that that is expected to cost some US$385 million over the next 10 years, it appears to me that this is an opportune time to invest in wind turbines. The technology involved is well advanced. In 1990 a team from the Department of Physics, UWI produced a monograph based on their research, entitled Wind power in Jamaica. A summary of their conclusions is that there is ample wind power between 6 am and 6 pm at both Palisadoes and Morant Point sufficient to produce 200 to 300W/m2 from one or the other or both. Only in September and October would production fall below the lower figure. So there is sufficient wind during daylight hours for most of the year. At that time, 1990, the capital costs were, probably, considered to be too high to make wind-powered generation economic. But no more! The Danish Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association reckons that the average price for large, modern wind farms is around US$1,000 per kilowatt installed. Modern wind turbines are built to last 30 years, and this will soon be extended to 50 years with an overhaul at 25 years, so amortisation would be minimal. The wind is not constant and neither will be the power it generates so there must be other sources of power available. However wind power is free, there are no energy costs and a minimal drain on foreign exchange. So why not use this free power to the maximum extent possible? I am etc.,
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