Islands set wind target

The authorities in Åland, a group of islands between Turku and Stockholm in the Baltic Sea, have set a target for 10% of the islands' power to come from wind by 2006. Wind capacity has increased steadily to 5.1 MW during the last few years and wind produces 3.5% of the power today. The first turbine, a Vestas 225 kW unit, was installed in 1992. It was followed by a Vestas 500 kW turbine in 1995, four Vestas 600 kW units and one Enercon 500 kW E40 in 1997, and another three E40 units this year. Wind power has strong support from the local population and most of the turbines are owned by co-operatives. The new target is expected to be reached well ahead of schedule.