Enemalta says wind turbine working well

Enemalta Corporation has reported success in its drive to seek renewable energy options, saying that a 2.5kW wind turbine it had installed at Ramlet il-Qortin has produced 1,800 kWh.

It said that, since the middle of last November, it pioneered in collecting data on the performance of their Proven 2.5kW turbine. The turbine is situated at Vendome Distribution at Ramlet il-Qortin and was installed to raise awareness and use of new renewable energy sources.

"The Proven 2.5kW has worked great and from January 2008 it has produced 1,800 kWh," Enemalta said.

It said that with the help of the installers, Solar Solutions, it is pioneering a new era in green energy. The motivation to install a small wind turbine was down to environmental concerns and the high energy prices of €0.33 per unit. The turbine can meet the needs of a standard three-bedroom home. Any excess energy production can be stored or exported to the grid.

Due to the success of the turbines, Solar Solutions are working to cope with what looks to be a high demand for this renewable energy system. The Proven 2.5kW is a machine that works in light winds but also one that can easily cope in extreme winds - 70ms (140+mph). Proven Energy chose to go downwind so that the blades could pivot away from the wind reducing the swept area.

Proven Energy's CEO, Andrew McMullan said: "We welcome Enemalta Corporation's approach to be the first to officially install this turbine in their country. Generating electricity from a wind turbine helps cut down CO2 emissions and reduces climate change levy charges".