Interest in wind power grows

Higher purchase prices motivate businessmen. The growing interest in wind parks in Slovakia only proves this statement right. So far there are only three wind parks in Slovakia. But it seems the industry is about to experience a boom. The company Zapadoslovenska energetika alone has received applications for the connection of wind parks with an installed power capacity of 1500 megawatt, i.e. a capacity almost equal to that of Bohunice nuclear power station. But there are also certain risks related to wind energy generation. If there is no wind, generation immediately has to be taken over by another power source. Otherwise, their could be technical problems. The necessity to operate back-up power supply devices increases the electricity price. But insiders indicate that plans to build wind parks with such a capacity are very optimistic. Not only because of the problems related to the realization of such a project but the fact that their profitability is dependant on high energy prices, which would fall in the event of the construction of too many inefficient parks. And that is an important factor as consumers are already subsidizing wind power to the tune of a few tens maybe a few hundreds of Sk a year per kilowatt-hour used, but an uncontrolled boom could make this green alternative very expensive. (authors)