Results of Holland wind farm tests disappointing

The Holland Board of Public Works is testing the idea of using local wind farms in Allegan County to use as an alternative energy source. There are two test sites in Ganges Township and Overisel Township. Together, the BPW has spent close to $500,000 on the sites, including meteorological equipment and towers to test wind power. BPW and Holland officials said the results so far have been far lower than what they expected.

Anonymous

Holland

Mar 30, 2011

“We’re talking about investments in the tens of millions of dollars,” Holland Mayor Kurt Dykstra said. “Before you start spending those kinds of dollars, its important that you do more than ‘suspect’ that the wind is present.”

So far, according to the BPW, wind in Ganges Township has yet to register more than a 1 — on a scale of 1-7 — and Overisel is lucky if it picks up a 2.

BPW General Manager Loren Howard said, if the wind was there, the area could support a major wind project, providing significant energy.
Howard said the likelihood of a renewable energy project depends how much the cost is per kilowatt-hour.

The towers were installed about six months ago. The survey runs until the fall.

— WZZM-TV report