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September 29, 2002

The Editor

Lethbridge Herald

Murray Smith, Alberta's Minister of Energy, notes (Wind power part of policy, September 29) "This leaves the risks of building new generation in the hands of investors, not consumers. Investors, including those interested in renewable energy, are responding and confidence in Alberta can be seen in the number and value of new projects announced and recently built. …. Government financial support or subsidies for power projects is not appropriate in a competitive market."

A message for investors in electrical power projects is implicit. Investors beware.

The average electricity output from wind turbines is very low relative to their rated capacity as they are subject to the vagaries of the wind. They thus tend to be quite expensive per unit of electrical output. Investors should consider very carefully the income stream from investment of their capital in any power project. Remember the excess confidence in Enron, WorldCom, Nortel, Telus, and other companies riding the bow wave of promise from some other new technologies.

Yours truly,

Duane Pendergast

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