|
|
|
Why Wind Energy?
Reducing Pollution| Avoiding Social Costs of Pollution| Creating Jobs| Regional Benefits
Reducing Pollution
In contrast to conventional energy sources, wind power stations produce
no polluting emissions directly related to electricity production.
Therefore wind energy provides a solution to the worldwide challenge to
reduce CO2 emissions. A modern wind power station in middle Europe,
i.e. with an installed capacity of 2 megawatts produces on the average
4 to 4.5 million kilowatt hours of electricity (kWh). This is enough to provide
1,500 European households with sufficient power. In comparison to
conventional energy plants, a wind power station would potentially
reduce the following amounts of emissions:
- 43560 tons carbon dioxide (CO2)
- 27,6 tons sulphur dioxide
- 37,2 tons nitrous oxide
- 8,4 tons carbon monoxide
- 4,2 tons dust
top
Avoiding Social Costs of Pollution
Pollution resulting from the burning of oil, natural gas and coal,
– costs national economies billions. Social costs are also incurred in
the process of removing/repairing damages caused by pollution.
Pollution causes health problems, loss of crops, destruction of forests
as well damage to buildings and materials. Renewable energies like wind
power, avoid polluting the environment and hence can help to reduce
these costs.
Social costs are costs external to the direct production of pollutants.
They are costs incurred by third parties, such as health insurance
companies, agriculture and real estate owners because of pollution
damages. Environmental protection agencies and economists are calling
for the implementation of a ‘polluter’ policy, whereby the waste
producer is not only responsible for the costs incurred directly by
pollution, but also for these secondary damages. With these types of
policies, it is clear that the prices for fossil fuels will rise
dramatically.
Wind power stations produce clean energy, free from pollutants and can therefore avoid damaging health and the environment. top
Creating Jobs
The wind energy industry is predominately made up of small and
mid-size companies who employ thousands of people. Future jobs are
available for employees with all types of qualifications, ranging from
craftsmen to technicians and engineers to businessmen and lawyers. For
example turbine manufacturers also carry out maintenance and repairs to wind
power stations. A regional maintenance crew is employed to service the
typical number of 10-15 machines at support points.
Today, around 75.000 jobs all over Europe are provided by the wind energy industry as today. top
Regional Benefits
A wind farm or a bioenergy project can bring many advantages to a
region; in particular it can boost the local economy. ABO Wind tries to
inform the community about planned construction at an early stage and
to involve the region in the project. Many wind farms or bioenergy
plants are built in economically weak regions. Some of the benefits are pointed out below:
Contracts for the Regional Construction Industry
Depending upon the location and type of wind power station, the
contract volume of a wind turbine is between 100,000 to 300,000 Euros.
Normally, it is small/medium sized local construction firms that gravel
field access roads, prepare the crane sites, install the steel and
cement foundation and lay cable to the next power grid. Almost all the
necessary construction materials are procured in the near area. For
example, 40 tons of steel and 350 cubic meters of cement are needed for
the foundation of the wind turbine alone.
Leasing Revenues for Agricultural Businesses
Landowners who lease their land for 20 years can receive a secure
income during the entire time the land is leased. The leased land
is usually in agricultural use. In view of the hard economic situation
most farmers are in, a stable second income can secure the farmer’s
existence and job.
Revenue for the Community
Often wind farms are built on land parcels that belong to the local
municipality/township, which receives the leasing revenues. The
community can also profit from the extra excise taxes collected and the
fees levied for the use of public roads. top
|
|
|
