Whistle blown on Oliver’s wind energy comments

15 June 2007
Media release

Whistle blown on Oliver’s wind energy comments

The Wind Energy Association says the public are unlikely to be swayed from supporting wind farms by the shrill attacks on wind energy from Anton Oliver.
Wind Energy Association (NZWEA) chief executive Fraser Clark said today that the public would not be impressed by Mr Oliver’s contradictory statements, reliance on exaggeration, and lack of accurate information.

“Mr Oliver needs to get his line straight on this issue.

“As a man with a high profile in another part of public life, people expect a much better level of contribution from Mr Oliver. He has an obligation to debate the issue fairly and factually,” Mr Clark said.

He said that given the media coverage accorded to Mr Oliver’s broad attacks against wind energy as a resource, the Wind Energy Association urged examination of the accuracy of some of his comments. For example:

- Anton Oliver accuses wind farms of being fraudulent (“government-sanctioned corporate rort”).

o The truth is that both SOE and private companies are building wind farms because they are cost-effective, efficient, and are certainly among the cleanest, ways to produce the electricity that each of us use. The rationale, economics and environmental benefits, are all well documented.

o He says carbon credits are being used to justify this project. The credits ceased being available in 2004. The truth is that this project and all others are going ahead because they produce electricity at a price comparable to all other forms of electricity generation.

- Anton Oliver contradictorily describes wind energy as a “pandemic”, while also claiming that other countries are not adopting it.

o The truth is that the world has indeed embraced wind energy as a renewable and sustainable resource. Wind generation has grown internationally at a compounding rate of 24.4% for the last 5 years, with total capacity increasing by 32% last year alone. Turbine suppliers can’t ship their products out the door fast enough.

o As an example, Denmark has the highest percentage of its power coming from wind - 20%. It is now aiming to double wind energy capacity to achieve 50% by 2025 and believes doing so will reduce electricity prices.

- Anton Oliver says the Germans now think that wind is too expensive.

o The truth is that Germany leads the world in wind energy capacity - more than 20,000 MW and increasing at more than 2,000 MW per year. Its official energy agency (dena) wants to increase Germany’s renewable generation from around 10% today (5% wind) to 30%.

o Latest research in Germany actually shows that their increasing amount of wind energy has lead to a net reduction in wholesale power prices.

“Wind makes up only 2% of our electricity generation, yet we have one of the worlds best wind resources. So there is clearly scope for wind energy to have a bigger role in our energy future,” Mr Clark said.

ENDS

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