Sir, - Our ever increasing consumption of energy is adding to the problems of air pollution, climate change and depletion of oil, gas and coal reserves. The harnessing of Ireland's abundant wind energy resources can help to tackle these problems. A windpower industry can also provide many jobs, while reducing our dependence on imported fuels.
Wind power technology has developed rapidly in recent years, and on windy sites is now competitive with new coal fired power, stations. In Europe, wind energy now supplies over six billion units of electricity a year - equivalent to about 40 per cent of Ireland's annual consumption - and employs more than 20,000 people.
Wind turbines are often installed in groups called wind farms. Ireland's only wind farm, at Bellacorick in Co Mayo, has been operating reliably since 1992. A number of wind farms are due to be installed in Ireland during 1997, and by the end of the year wind should be providing well over one half a percent of our electricity needs.
The Irish Wind Energy Association aims to promote the use of wind energy and to support the development of an Irish windpower industry. Membership is open to anyone interested in supporting these aims. Further information on wind energy and membership application forms are available from me at the address below. - Yours, etc.,
IWEA secretary,
Croydon Green,
Marino, Dublin 3.