We need the answers to these questions:

We're pretty sure that those corporations which want to turn Kythera into a giant wind-farm haven't even done a simple ecological equation: will the proposed wind-towers produce as much energy as they will consume in their construction and maintenance and decommissioning? This might sound like a naive question, but the corporations aren't necessarily interested in creating a greener world, but rather in making money. And if the EU and Greek Government subsidies are sufficient to make the construction of wind-towers on Kythera financially interesting to those corporations, the "simple ecological equation" might never have been asked.

So we're asking.

We're asking around and hope to have the answers to these questions soon - if you can help, please do! Send us a mail!

The Questions:

1. Do Wind-Park companies ever do studies on whether a prospective park will produce more energy in its expected life-time than it has taken to create and maintain the wind-park itself (including the production and transport of the wind-generator and the spare parts it will need over the years; the production of the concrete used in the foundation, the infrastructure, cables production etc)? If so, what is the usual equation: eg. XXXX KW producted, YYYY KW used? Do they have to submit them with their enviromental impact studies?

2. How much energy is needed to create a current generation 1.5 MW and 2 MW wind-generator?

3. On average, how much energy will a current generation 1.5MW and 2 MW wind-generator produce in good conditions per year?

4. What is the expected life-span of a modern current generation 1.5 MW and 2 MW wind-generator?

Answer: Most wind farms have a life expectancy of 25 years

5a. How many tons of concrete does a 1.5 MW and 2 MW wind-generator require in its foundation?
Answer: at least 60 tons.

5b. How many tons of CO2 is created in the process of producing 60 tons of cement, transporting it to Kythera, mixing it with the other components of concrete, transporting it to the mountain site and creating the foundation?

6. When a generator breaks irrevocably after its expected life-span, can the original foundation be used for a replacement wind-generator?

7. At what high wind speeds would a current generation 1.5MW and 2 MW wind-generator have to shut down?

Answer: Most wind turbines produce maximum power when winds are at around 50km/hr.  They normally shut down during gale force conditions of around 90km/hr.

8. How tall are current generation 1.5MW and 2 MW wind-generators including the rotors?

9. How much energy is required to build 1km of 7m wide sealed road?

10. How much energy is required to build 1km of 7m wide unsealed road?

11. How much energy is required to transport a 2 MW wind-generator 1000km by sea ?

12. How much energy is required to transport a 2 MW wind-generator 10 km by road ?

With the answers to these questions, we hope to be able to estimate whether Kythera is a sensible place to construct the wind-towers. If you have some answers, please send them here!