Letters / Norway and wind
In response to James Mackenzie (For the record; SN 25/7/12):
Would this be a testament to how wealth is distributed in Norway rather than just wealth itself. Or is it a good example of investing in a great earner for the Norwegian people.
What’s the best thing the Norwegians could buy with oil money right now?
Norway’s oil and energy minister Aaslaug Haga seems to think that wind turbines are a good bet.
The Scandinavian country is the fifth biggest exporter of oil in the world, but it also has the longest coastline in Europe and lots of strong wind.
A 30 page report from the Energy Council says: “Norway ought to have access to up to 40 terrawatt hours of renewable energy in 2020-2025, of which about half would come from wind power.”
Sufficient wind parks – totalling 5,000 to 8,000 megawatts installed capacity – would cost between 100 billion Norwegian and 220 billion Norwegian krona ($43.89 billion) assuming prices of 20-28 million krona per installed megawatt.
The energy would be equivalent to up to about eight nuclear power plants.
That’s a lot of money, but that’s also the value of about half a year’s oil output for Norway. It would be kind of a giant offset investment scheme.
Wind makes Norway – like Shetland- particularly well suited for wind power, apparently.
Gordon Harmer
Bayswater
Brae
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.
Already a supporter? Sign in to hide this message.
