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Sharing Wind

Electricity consumers should provide the capital costs towards wind farm development and be paid an "energy dividend", suggests John Reese, manager of S.M. Andrews & Associates.

"The development scheme would involve customers investing in a supply authority wind farm. The customers would contribute towards the capital cost of establishing the wind farm. In return, they would receive a dividend on their investment in the form of energy measured in kilowatt hours, " Mr Reese explains.

An investment of $100 could provide an energy dividend of 90-180 kWH a year, depending on the wind farm site. This is a return of around $7-14. Bank interest rates and taxes thereon would provide a return of $7-8 on the same investment.

"Electricity consumers would be buying future power at today's prices, " Mr Reese said.