Chile opens its eyes to Wind Energy

http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/new/story?id=49716
In an article written by Matt Malinowski an editor for The Santiago Times, details how Chile is now starting to look to Wind Energy, a renewable energy source, as an alternative to oil as its main staple. However, it is still a drop in the bucket in comparison to how much Chile still relies upon oil to provide energy to the country. Matt Malinowski for The Santiago Times states that, "It would be a great exaggeration to say that Chile is "big" on wind energy. This renewable source of energy, which is now one of Europe's biggest energy producers, currently accounts for only 2 megawatts (MW) of Chile's 12,700 MW of energy production capabilities." Chile has been forced to look at Wind Energy as a supplemental form of energy due to the increasing price to purchase oil which is approximately US$70 a barrel. Chile also relies heavily upon Argentina to import gas to the country. However, production from Argentina has been slowed due to uncharacteristically cold winters. Chile in turn has had to use the more expensive diesel fuel which typically is about four times more expensive to power its energy generating plants. Chile's turn to Wind Energy has also met some opposition from some that state that the Wind Parks Chile has built to harvest Wind Energy are unsightly. Some also feel that the current Wind Park's are not producing enough energy to warrant the building of more. In comparison, my opinion is that if a Chile is trying to look to alternate sources of sustaining itself we should allow them to do that. Should Chile continue to rely on Argentina to sometimes provide oil to them, and in turn Argentina continues to tap the Earth of its natural resources? In contrast Wind Energy is economical. Wind Energy is estimated to cost only US$50-55 to produce 1 MW of energy. In comparison to the US$70 for oil or 4 times more for diesel it is an excellent alternative. To the opponents that say that the Wind Parks do not produce enough to sustain Chile, my solution is to simply build more parks. More Wind Parks will generate more energy. They may be unsightly however the are saving the everyday energy consumer in Chile money and how can anyone not be happy with that?