Paradise Bay Resort & Spa in Grenada, a beautiful island in the Eastern Caribbean, was the first to install a utility grade windmill in the wide region and the first hotel in the world to take this important step to reduce global warming. The 80 kW windmill is readily installed and is scheduled to be commissioned in the Summer of 2008.

In the past period James Post, the owner of the resort, has written several articles on wind energy in the Caribbean, speaks at conferences and assists others in the Caribbean with feasibility studies, windmill site selection and installation. These activities have already lead to the ordering of 2 windmills for Puerto Rico, also the first utility grade wind energy experience in Puerto Rico.

The First Caribbean Sustainable Energy Forum will be held at St. George University in Grenada from June 23 - 27. During the same week, the 4th Caribbean Environmental Forum and the 14th Annual Wider Caribbean Waste Management Conference take place at the same location, all organized by the Caribbean Environmental Health Institute in St. Lucia. (CEHI).

On Thursday June 26, James Post will present a unique opportunity for the Caribbean, proposing to install revised windmills from upgraded wind parks, mostly from Europe. In recent years, the capacity of windmill keeps growing. Thirteen years ago, 250 kW were the norm, nine years ago 500 kW; today 1.5 MW is most common and the upward trend will continue. For wind park operators the easiest way to increase capacity is by dismantling the smaller windmills and install the higher capacity models at the same location, while the old windmills have not reached the end of lifetime.

In the Caribbean, the (lack of) infrastructure makes it difficult to install the larger windmills, next to the long lead time and more complex integration in the electricity network.  Therefore, windmills in the 250/500 kW range are the best way to go for the Caribbean.

Dutch Mainwind BV (http://www.mainwind.nl) is a leader in installing and maintaining windmills from upgraded wind parks and provides service and maintenance for wind parks all over the world since 1998. They completely recondition the turbines and offer them with the same warranty as new. Moreover they can offer a maintenance agreement for a period of 15 years. The energy cost (per kWh) is even lower than bigger wind parks and they are much easier to install and available within a few months, rather than 2-3 years for new windmills in today’s hot market.  

Clearly, reconditioned windmills are the best option for the Caribbean: cheaper, simpler and faster.

After successfully working with James for the past 6 months, recognizing his experience and know-how, Mainwind BV now requested him to be their Senior Consultant for Caricom. He can assist potential windmill owners with feasibility studies, site selection and practical assistance with foundation and preparations for installation and commissioning. James will be the first line support contact and will soon also offer supervision by a factory-trained local technician at reduced cost.
Joint ventures, power purchase agreements and financing can all be discussed with him.

About Paradise Bay Resort & Spa

Paradise Bay Resort and Spa features 9 Caribbean tropical villas on 8 acres amidst 1000’s beautiful acres and is a sustainable tourism destination; the first to announce a Carbon Free Vacation, whereby carbon dioxide emissions caused by flights, stay and activities are compensated for every guest. The resort is known for their generous Super Inclusive program, which not only includes accommodation, meals and drinks, but also normally expensive activities such as rain forest hikes and walks, island tours, catamaran sailing/snorkeling, whale watching at very affordable prices.

For more information, contact: James Post Tel (473)-405-8888, email jamespost@spiceisle.com  

www.paradisebayresort.net

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