TOPIC 'Renewable Energy' on Jan 21, 2009 (CET)
Nicaraguan Wind Farm To Provide Country With Six Percent Of Energy Needs
Rolling black-outs used to leave Nicaragua without power on many occasions. The government managed to control those but was left with a staggering burden of energy debt as the cost of crude oil rose in 2008 to the highest prices on record. To reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels and to reduce energy costs, Nicaragua has built a wind farm along the border of Lake Nicaragua.
The wind farm provides 19 windmills with an expected generation of 40 MW of energy. The wind farm is anticipated to be fully operational by the end of January 2009. Six percent of Nicaragua’s energy demand is projected to be met through this $90 million project. The windmills are 126 meters tall and were installed by the Indian company, Suzlon Energy Ltd. of Pune, India. They sit between two volcanoes and have become a tourist attraction in the country.
The Government of Nicaragua hopes to reduce its dependence on oil for energy needs to just three percent by the year 2013. Nicaragua is already using geothermal energy provided from its volcano resources, ethanol from sugar cane fields, and has tapped the rivers to utilize hydroelectric power. This combination of renewable energy alternatives provides Nicaragua with 34 percent of its energy at the current time.
The chief developer for the wind farm is Arctas Capital Group LP from Houston, Texas. Arctas indicates another 40 MW wind farm is in the advanced stages of planning. Many other projects are in the works for the country, including two new geothermal plants in Nicaragua to be financed by Russia. The output of these plants is expected to be 250 MW. As well, Brazil, Iran, and Carlos Slim, a billionaire from Mexico, are in negotiations to invest in the country’s renewable energy projects.
Nicaragua’s Energy Minister, Emilio Rappaccioli, stated that the Government expects to save approximately $9 million annually in fuel costs, thanks to the new Lake Nicaragua wind farm. Approximately 80 percent of the oil Nicaragua uses is provided by Venezuela at a discount. Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez and Daniel Ortega, the leader of Nicaragua, have a good working relationship.
Sherry Irvin
on behalf of the
BascoTec Internet Limited
Technologie Park 13
33100 Paderborn
Germany
TAGS: wind farm, fossil fuels, energy costs, energy demand, reduce dependence, energy needs, geothermal energy, hydroelectric power, renewable energy, energy alternatives,
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