I have extremely mixed emotions about the Cape Wind project. Theoretically wind farms are a great idea, but somehow, very few countries that have used them have found them to be economically feasible. Spain has begun to abandon its wind program due to the cost of wind energy and the need for backup power; the Dutch are having a problem with sinking wind turbines in three of their offshore wind farms. I have also heard concerns that when the government subsidies for wind power run out, the wind mills will be allowed to run until they break and then left as an unmaintained eyesore. Again, I have mixed emotions.
CNS News reports today that National Grid, the electric company that supplies much of the electricity to Massachusetts, has agreed to buy power from the Cape Wind Farm.
According to the article:
"Under the 15-year contract, National Grid would pay 20.7 cents per kilowatt hour starting in 2013 for electricity purchased from the 130-turbine Cape Wind project in Nantucket Sound."
The article further states:
"The cost of electricity from conventional sources is about 9 cents per kilowatt hour. The utility said the deal will add about $1.50 the average customer's monthly electricity bill in 2013."
I live in an all-electric house. Somehow I think my electric bill is destined to go up more than $1.50 per month. I think we need more refining of the science of wind-generated electricity.
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