Wind Energy Investing

CNW Telbec reports Canadian Renewable Energy received permission to construct transmission cables to connect Wolfe Island wind farm to the power grid.  Wolfe Island currently has a wind generating capacity of 198 MW and this energy will help attain the Ministry of Energy’s goal of 1,000 MW that Canadian Renewable Energy successfully won the bid.  All 12.1 km of cables will be installed underground/underwater and has been deemed the best path for public interest.

Technology News Daily reports the Board of Public Utilites in New Jersey has approved a pilot offshore wind farm 20 miles off the coast.  Texas had organized a competitive lease system for four offshore wind farms and Wind Energy Technology Systems, LLC won all sites.  The proposed offshore project in Long Island, NY has yet to reach a verdict.  The cost of wind energy from this farm would increase consumers’ electric bills by $2.50 a month.

Laramie Bommerang reports the US Department of Energy has listed Wyoming as oneo f the best sites for wind power due to high wind frequencey and dependability.  This could be PacifiCorp has planned to build two more wind projects in the state.  According to the team leader of AES, the largest difficulty with wind in Wyoming is that speeds are so high it will often turn the safety mechanism for the machine to shut down, and it can only be restarted manually by a technician resulting in a loss of energy.

DailyRecordNews.com reportsInvenergy Wind North America has applied for a new wind farm to be built in Kittias County.  Vantage Wind Project, a 69-turbine farm, would be alongside the existing Wild Horse Wind Power Project between two highways.  The project is expected to be operational by the end of 2008 with a wind generating capacity of 103.5 MW.

Business Week reports BT of the United Kingdom is planning to build a wind farm large enough to supply a quarter of their energy needs by 2016.  The telecom company hopes to be an example to other corporations that may have the ability to support green energy through wind farms.  BT is currently considering three sites to place the wind farm and partners in the project for both the financial and energy sectors.

eFluxMedia.com reports a unanimous decision against the application for underwater electrical cables for the Cape Wind project.  The plan was to run transmission lines from the offshore wind farm to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket with enough electricity to power all the households there.  The project was originally proposed in 2001 and costs have now risen to near $1 billion at this time.

Projo.com reports Cape Cod Commision has reccommended denying a permit to build 130 turbines in Nantucket Sound.  While Cape Wind Associates, the developer, has refused to give more time and info about the project they will appeal the pending denial.  Even if the Cape Cod Commission approved the permit, the project would still required federal regulatory approval before construction could begin.  This project was submitted as a proposal in 2001.

CNet News.com reports BT has high aims to reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2016 at an estimated cost of $512 million. A possible site for the 250 MW wind farm could be in Cornwall, United Kingdom and has applied for permits at Goonhilly Satellite Earth Station.  The farm is met with opposition due to the turbines blocking scenery.

The Dominion Post reports Windflow Technology is creating three varieties of wind turbines to accommodate an international market.  India and China require turbines that produce a lower wind speed.  Te Rere Hau wind farm is currently using 44 Windflow Technology turbines and will receive more in the future, but these turbines were designed for New Zealand wind speeds.

News8Austin.com reports the Public Utility Commission has prohibited anymore presentations that concer affects that Gulf Coast wind farms might have on wildlife in Texas.  Commissioners have decided the Coastal Habitat Alliance will not be able to intervene in the 21 mile transmission line needed to transmit electricity from the wind farms and may harm migratory birds.