Wind power cheaper than fuel in the US

DR COLMÁN ETCHINGHAM (Irish Examiner letters, December 4) thinks I did not adequately address the question of wind energy in terms of efficiency or future potential (Irish Examiner letters, November 24).

Since 2004, the price of wind-generated power in the US has been lower than that generated by fuel, even without taking reduced carbon dioxide emissions and pollution into account. In 2005, wind energy cost one-fifth of what it did in the late 1990s and that downward trend is expected to continue (US Earth Policy Institute, March 2006).

Dr Etchingham finds it curious that I would state communities across Ireland actually welcome the development of wind energy. Perhaps he believes too much in his own propaganda and that of the Irish Wind Energy Truth Alliance?

The fact that this group is highly vociferous does not mean all communities they claim to represent support them. Quite the opposite. They seem to represent a NIMBYism typical of many such groups.

As for the turbines “wreaking havoc” on communication signals, this is easily overcome, but it remains part of the scare-mongering tactics used by the so-called Truth Alliance. Whether or not turbines disfigure the landscape is a matter of taste. I prefer to see a turbine producing clean energy than another two-storied monstrosity consuming it.

Dr Etchingham ignores the potential of wind energy at a frightful cost to the future for all of us. No one is suggesting for now that wind energy is capable of replacing fossil fuels. What is being suggested is that it can be harnessed to reduce our dependence, just as in Denmark, where wind power now accounts for close to 20% of electricity consumption.

Incidentally, a recent poll showed that 90% of Danes want more wind power installed (Danish Wind Energy Association). Surely Denmark represents a case where “the serious questions” have in fact been addressed.

James McGrath

Birchgrove

Hollyford

Co Tipperary