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.

[N3WBI3]

lol!

[TXnMA]

[Zeppo]

$3.4 million to save $136K in oil a year

Maybe they intend to make up the rest in tax credits (heh heh)...

[DungeonMaster]

Except when Lefties won't let us, ironically.

They won't let us what?

[Abathar]

Kennedy and his ilk are the ones who are blocking the proposed windfarm outside his back window in Martha's Vineyard.

[Holicheese]

I have an honest question.
Do citizens of Cuba pay electric bills or is it all free?

[3Lean]

That was my thought for a more accurate title

"Cuba Experiments with Really Dumb Investments"

[DungeonMaster]

Kennedy and his ilk are the ones who are blocking the proposed windfarm outside his back window in Martha's Vineyard.

Yes, that's one instance. But your statement implies that windfarms are not being build anywhere in the US because of lefties.

[KarlInOhio]

The park was built using French technology

Are they using the latest in Charles de Gaulle detachable propellor technology?

[Uncledave]

The park was built using French technology, and its windmills are designed to be disassembled quickly in case of hurricanes or tropical storms.

I would imagine you have maybe 5 days notice that a hurricane has a decent shot at hitting your wind farm. These machines can be disassembled and stored in five days? That's a bold claim.

[Abathar]

Go ask any member of the Sierra Club what they think of the big "Avian Ginsu" projects being built. They count the dead birds by the tens of thousands at the base of the farms and scream bloody murder.

[Uncledave]

If it's French, I'd imagine it's probably a Jeumont design.

Is there anybody the French won't sell to?

[Uncledave]

See my #30 - thoughts?

[PzLdr]

And the seabirds flying into the blades may help alleviate the food shortages.

[Abathar]

They probably built the bases mega strong and all they have to do is detach the blades and then lock and block the heads.

If it was designed for just those conditions I think it could be done. Probably costs a lot more, and judging from the price it did, but it would make sense to do it that way.

[DungeonMaster]

Go ask any member of the Sierra Club what they think of the big "Avian Ginsu" projects being built. They count the dead birds by the tens of thousands at the base of the farms and scream bloody murder.

So now you're trying to say that we are not building any windfarms in the US because of the Sierra Club?

[goldstategop]

Will John Kerry go wind-surfing off the Cuban coast? Inquiring minds would like to know.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[DungeonMaster]

I would imagine you have maybe 5 days notice that a hurricane has a decent shot at hitting your wind farm. These machines can be disassembled and stored in five days? That's a bold claim.

They are small windmills. They are specifically designed for hurricane and typhoon prone areas. These look to be about 300kw and yes they can be taken down before a hurricane.

[DungeonMaster]

If it's French, I'd imagine it's probably a Jeumont design.

Is there anybody the French won't sell to?

WPM has an article about Iranian windpower. I forget who sold to em lately but they do have a farm of V47s. I often wonder if there is anyone that American firms won't sell to. We sure love China.

[bmwcyle]

That would make a great target for practice.