why wind?

New Zealand is at an energy crossroads. Choices made now will determine our energy sources for years to come. A UN panel of scientists and over 160 governments including the government of New Zealand agree that the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) is causing our climate to change dramatically. The NZ Government predicts that major risks of the climate change for New Zealand could include more droughts, high winds, floods, water shortages and growing pest and disease problems. (1)

Clean, renewable forms of energy, such as wind power, are essential if we are to tackle climate change and solve the energy crisis.

Here's why wind power, in particular, deserves your support:

• It's clean. Wind power does not contribute to global warming, nor does it produce dangerous waste.
• It's abundant and reliable. New Zealand has some of the best wind resources in the world. A study by the New Zealand Government's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) estimates that we have enough energy potential to provide three times the current electricity generation rate.(2) Wind power, in combination with a full range of renewable energy sources, such as wave, biomass, water, geothermal and solar, could meet all of our electricity needs. Technology is being developed to store wind power as hydrogen which can then be used to power fuel cells in power stations and in vehicles.
• It's affordable. Wind energy is one of the cheapest forms of renewable energy. It is competitive with coal. If all social and environmental costs are reflected in electricity supply prices, it may be even cheaper than gas generation. In the last decade the costs of wind power declined by about 20% and wind energy will be even more cost effective in the future as turbine technology continues to improve and planned emission charge will make fossil-fuelled forms of generation more expensive.(3)
• It works. Denmark already gets 20% of its electricity from wind power.
• It creates jobs. As overseas experience has shown the wind industry could bring new employment opportunities to New Zealand. In Germany for example an estimated 45,000 people are employed directly and indirectly by the wind industry.(4) The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority estimates that wind energy produces 27% more jobs per kilowatt hour (kWh) than coal and 66% more jobs than natural gas.(5)
• It's popular. Wind energy is the most popular energy technology. A public opinion survey conducted by UMR Research in May 2004 showed that for the New Zealanders wind power is the most preferred energy-generating source.

Notes
1. NZ Climate Change Office: Impacts on NZ
2. Greenpeace report "Winds of change", 2003
3. Greenpeace and EWEA report "Wind Force 12", 2003
4. Greenpeace and EWEA report "Wind Force 12", 2003
5. Mazza, Patrick. 2001 "Harvesting Clean Energy for Rural Development: Wind." Climate Solutions Special Report. Olympia: Climate Solutions.