Cuba Opens Experimental Wind Farm

AP via Forbes ^ | 02.26.07

[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.

[Abathar]

$3.4 million to save $136K in oil a year. With maintenance and repairs I guess Castro will never see the theoretical payoff date.

[darkwing104]

I thought this article was about Cape Cod...

[SkyPilot]

I thought Castro's 4 hour speeches were the Cuban wind farm?

[FreePaul]

Probably too little too late. In past years Castro's hot air could have kept the wind farm going.

[GQuagmire]

I thought this article was about Cape Cod...

Comrades Kennedys will oppose this without a doubt.

[jdm]

There's a difference between Cape Cod and Cuba? :O)

[manic4organic]

How about rum?

[Uncledave]

Renewable Energy Ping

Please Freep Mail me if you'd like on/off

[Mikey_1962]

They are the driver of the wind farm.

[darkwing104]

This might cut into Comrade Hugo's profit margins...

[thackney]

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.

[kinoxi]

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.

[Abathar]

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.

[DungeonMaster]

In before the ping.

[atomicpossum]

Cuban Wind Farm

[DungeonMaster]

These are more expensive than typical windmills.

[YourAdHere]

Me too!

[Izzy Dunne]

using French technology, and its windmills are designed to be disassembled quickly

The "retreat" plans are already drawn up...

[vpintheak]

The lefties will be hailing this as how great Cuba is, even though we have been doing this for years.

[atomicpossum]

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.