Oct. 5, 2010 – Don McCabe's attempt (Sept. 24, 2010) to explain rising
power costs in Ontario fails to account for the doubling of power costs
that will occur by late 2011/early 2012, according to energy consultant
Tom Adams.
Oct. 5, 2010 – Don McCabe's attempt (Sept. 24, 2010) to explain rising power costs in Ontario fails to account for the doubling of power costs that will occur by late 2011/early 2012, according to energy consultant Tom Adams. So, in about eight years, the average increase is nine per cent per year. Bad as that may seem, if more "green" contracts are signed, it will be worse.
In the case of wind generation, the common assumption of energy providers is that thermal (coal or gas) backup of 92 per cent capacity is needed. In effect, two systems are built where only one is required.
Adams correctly noted that money will also be wasted building the transmission lines to bring the widely scattered "green" projects to the grid, money that would be better spent on upgrading the distribution lines in the rural areas and the cities; stray voltage is very much a problem.
Locally, the 115KV line that runs from Lambton to London, and which was built some 50-plus years ago, is in very bad shape. There are poles with ground wires deliberately cut, bent back and stapled to the poles due to non-operative ground rods. This puts extra load on the remaining grounds and leads to significant current leakage. In one pasture, the cattle would not graze within 80 feet of the line.
The Green Energy plan is a case of "cart before the horse," which only beggars the service to customers it should provide.
McCabe may bet his dollars on wind turbines – but not mine. I prefer customer benefits.
Letter submitted by:
Harvey Wrightman
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