BY DENIZ GOKCE
AKSAM- I have recently been touching on energy and environmental problems.
Among renewable energy resources, wind energy is the most interesting and most-invested technology in the whole world. Wind energy produced 7,475 MW of the worldwide electrical energy produced in 1997, rising to 73,904 MW in 2006. Although only 1% of world electricity has been produced this way, Denmark gets 18% of its electricity through wind, along with 9% for Spain and 7% for Germany. By 2010, the world's wind energy production is expected to reach 160,000 MW.
As wind energy is abundant, renewable, and clean, plus it reduces the greenhouse effect, it has been replacing energies obtained from fossil fuels. Using wind energy will postpone the running out of fossil fuels, and it doesn't cause environmental pollution, as it doesn't emit substances such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and other contaminants. Although investments for wind need intensive capital, low operation and maintenance costs make this investment attractive.
According to the Electricity Affairs Study Board (EIE), Turkey is one of the richest countries in Europe in wind energy. In fact, wind resources could meet the country's entire power needs. Turkey plans to produce 1,413 MW of electrical energy this year, 1,788 MW in 2010 and 2,163 MW in 2013.
Our latest wind energy power station opened last year in Bandirma. The capacity of the station is 120 million Kwh and will meet power for 100,000 people. This issue should not be neglected!