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Cuba Opens Experimental Wind Farm
AP via Forbes ^
| 02.26.07
Posted on 02/26/2007 9:49:49 AM PST by Abathar
Cuba has opened an experimental wind farm, hoping alternative energy sources can one day ease occasional power shortages while reducing the island's dependence on oil, state news media reported Sunday.
The $3.4 million park, featuring six 180-foot windmills, was established on Isla de la Juventud, an island south of Havana, according to the Communist Party youth newspaper Juventud Rebelde.
Exactly when the park was inaugurated was unclear, but officials estimate that during its first year of operation it could produce 1,800 megawatts of electricity. That would save Cuba about $136,000 in oil costs on international market, the newspaper said.
The park was built using French technology, and its windmills are designed to be disassembled quickly in case of hurricanes or tropical storms.
Officials hope to finish work on another wind park with six windmills, located in the eastern province of Holguin, by the end of the year.
The collapse of the Soviet Union sparked widespread energy shortages in Cuba, when the island suddenly lost its primary source of fossil fuels on highly preferential terms. While conditions have improved, blackouts are still sometimes a problem during the scorching summer months.
Cuba produces its own oil and natural gas, but not enough to meet its needs. An agreement with oil-rich Venezuela allows the island to buy nearly 100,000 barrels of oil a day under preferential terms, while Cuba sends thousands of volunteer doctors to Venezuela who offer free care to the poor.
TOPICS: Cuba; Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: energy; renewenergy; wind
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$3.4 million to save $136K in oil a year. With maintenance and repairs I guess Castro will never see the theoretical payoff date.
1
posted on
02/26/2007 9:49:50 AM PST
by
Abathar
To: Abathar
I thought this article was about Cape Cod...
2
posted on
02/26/2007 9:51:12 AM PST
by
darkwing104
(Let's get dangerous)
To: Abathar
I thought Castro's 4 hour speeches were the Cuban wind farm?
3
posted on
02/26/2007 9:51:20 AM PST
by
SkyPilot
To: Abathar
Probably too little too late. In past years Castro's hot air could have kept the wind farm going.
4
posted on
02/26/2007 9:52:22 AM PST
by
FreePaul
To: darkwing104
I thought this article was about Cape Cod...
Comrades Kennedys will oppose this without a doubt.
5
posted on
02/26/2007 9:52:31 AM PST
by
GQuagmire
To: darkwing104
There's a difference between Cape Cod and Cuba? :O)
6
posted on
02/26/2007 9:52:40 AM PST
by
jdm
To: Abathar
7
posted on
02/26/2007 9:52:52 AM PST
by
manic4organic
(Send a care package through USO today.)
To: Abathar; RedStateRocker; Dementon; eraser2005; Calpernia; DTogo; Maelstrom; Yehuda; babble-on; ...
Renewable Energy Ping Please Freep Mail me if you'd like on/off
8
posted on
02/26/2007 9:53:04 AM PST
by
Uncledave
To: SkyPilot
They are the driver of the wind farm.
9
posted on
02/26/2007 9:53:09 AM PST
by
Mikey_1962
(If you build it, they won't come...)
To: jdm
This might cut into Comrade Hugo's profit margins...
10
posted on
02/26/2007 9:54:14 AM PST
by
darkwing104
(Let's get dangerous)
To: Abathar
and its windmills are designed to be disassembled quickly in case of hurricanes or tropical storms Designing a structure to withstand the wind would have been a much better idea. Trying to predict just how strong the wind is going to blow this afternoon is rather difficult. How many times will they take it done, find out they didn't need to, then leave it up just once when they should have taken it down.
11
posted on
02/26/2007 9:54:15 AM PST
by
thackney
(life is fragile, handle with prayer)
To: Abathar
The park was built using French technology, and its windmills are designed to be disassembled quickly in case of hurricanes or tropical storms.
Or invasion/collaboration as well I'd assume.
12
posted on
02/26/2007 9:54:40 AM PST
by
kinoxi
To: FreePaul
I thought it was funny that it was the French who could build a windmill that can retreat in the face of harsh weather quickly and efficiently.
13
posted on
02/26/2007 9:55:51 AM PST
by
Abathar
(Proudly catching hell for posting without reading the article since 2004)
To: Uncledave
14
posted on
02/26/2007 9:56:56 AM PST
by
DungeonMaster
(Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”)
To: Abathar
Cuban Wind Farm
15
posted on
02/26/2007 9:57:02 AM PST
by
atomicpossum
(Replies must follow approved guidelines or you will be kill-filed without appeal.)
To: Abathar
These are more expensive than typical windmills.
16
posted on
02/26/2007 9:57:26 AM PST
by
DungeonMaster
(Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”)
To: darkwing104
17
posted on
02/26/2007 9:57:29 AM PST
by
YourAdHere
(America's Freepers: The DC Chapter Needs You on Saturday March 17th!)
To: Abathar
using French technology, and its windmills are designed to be disassembled quickly The "retreat" plans are already drawn up...
18
posted on
02/26/2007 9:57:30 AM PST
by
Izzy Dunne
(Hello, I'm a TAGLINE virus. Please help me spread by copying me into YOUR tag line.)
To: Abathar
The lefties will be hailing this as how great Cuba is, even though we have been doing this for years.
19
posted on
02/26/2007 9:59:03 AM PST
by
vpintheak
(Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked)
To: vpintheak
The lefties will be hailing this as how great Cuba is, even though we have been doing this for years. Except when Lefties won't let us, ironically.
20
posted on
02/26/2007 10:00:25 AM PST
by
atomicpossum
(Replies must follow approved guidelines or you will be kill-filed without appeal.)
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