Greenpeace demands investment in solar energy

In view of the declarations of the Balearic Councillor for Innovation and Energy, Misericordia Ramon, in which the Govern rejects photovoltaic energy because of its high cost, Greenpeace has replied demanding the Councillor to guarantee, at least, the investments that the Spanish central government has planned for the Balearics in this form of solar energy.

"Now it turns out that the 'progress' Balearic Government is not going for the photovoltaic energy nor even the small amount proposed by the central P.P. government" was the declaration by Xavier Pastor, the Executive Director of Greenpeace Spain. "It is regretable that those with maximum responsibility for the Balearic energy policies spurn photovoltaic energy, which is a guarantee for the clean electricity supply and free of powercuts."

According to Greenpeace, solar photovoltaic energy is not only economically viable, but also is particularly valuable as it its maximum production would coincide with the months and times of maximum energy demand in the Balearics. Greenpeace thinks that energy planning should place solar energy as one of its priorities in all its forms: solar photovoltaic systems on roofs for electricity; solar thermic collectors for domestic hot water, heating pools, airconditioning, etc.; and photovoltaic and thermosolar power centres.

The energy problem continues to catch the public's attention in general and of the ecologists in particular. In the last few days, in GOB-Forum, the ecologists' debate forum in the Balearics, these topics have been discussed and especially the viability of producing eolic energy as an alternative, analysing the advantages and disadvantages of this over solar energy. The debate continues, and it is obvious that all the options have a certain esthetic and environmental cost. Meanwhile, the University of California thinks that it is necessary to deregulate the energy market to permit the promotion of renewable energies by giving the consumers the option of buying energy from different suppliers.

Date of publication: 13/07/2000

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