Near Wellington, New Zealand, is a wind farm set in the hills which produces some 150 MW, enough for the power requirement of the city. There are 62 wind turbines, windmills really, mounted on 100m high towers, each with three blades, 30 m in length. They are scattered over 55 sq km of farmland. Beneath them are cows and sheep grazing happily. The farmers get paid and find the extra income attractive. Some environmentalists object arguing that the turbines make noise and are a visual blight on the landscape. I did not find them unattractive and had to concentrate to hear the low drone in the wind. The landscape was spectacular. I was reminded of my visit to the Netherlands as an undergrad many years ago when I made a special train journey to see a series of Dutch windmills in the pretty countryside.
George Yeo
Comments