Investing in wind

By Melissa Meehan
The Garfield resident says the windy town could soon be making money from putting energy back into the power grid within five years; all they have to do is purchase and install wind turbines.
Last week, he and power company SP AusNet measured local business Country Style Meats’ ability to run on wind power alone.
“They are interested in negating their electricity bill,” Mr Malone said.
“We did a test on the site to see whether a turbine would be appropriate – it’s a very exciting thing.”
Mr Malone, a wine seller by trade, said he became involved in the wind power industry by chance – escaping pouring rain at a trade fair where he stumbled upon the technology.
“The reality is over five years electricity will go up 15 per cent per annum, that’s a given,” Mr Malone said.
“That means electricity bills could double in five years – it’s just a spooky thought.”
The push for greener, cleaner electricity has been taken on by many worldwide and Mr Malone believes wind power will take over from solar power in the future, as solar power only works during the day.
“With wind, its 24 hours – anyone who decides to take on wind power can generate power in their sleep,” he said.
A typical eight-metre tall wind turbine could power one household, but Mr Malone said the target market was farming properties in the area.
“We have dairy farms, poultry farms – people using a lot of energy spending thousands of dollars on power,” he said.
“In five years that’s going to double – and sadly could put them out of business.
“With wind power, after five years they will make their money back on the cost and could start making money – it seems like a good investment to me.”