9 Aug 2007

Cook Islands Energy Division to establish further wind monitoring stations

10:19 am on 9 August 2007

Further wind monitoring stations are to be set up in the Cook Islands to gather data on whether wind generated power could be a viable option for the country.

The Director of Energy, Mata Nooroa, says the government is committed to searching for sources of renewable energy and earlier this year established a national energy committee.

He says the committee members are expected to be officially appointed later this month.

Mr Nooroa says his division is going ahead with gathering data, including from the two monitoring stations set up on Rarotonga and Aitutaki.

"We are now gathering wind data for those two islands and we are also looking at the islands of Atiu, Mauke and Mitiaro. What we're hoping to do is when we get the information then it will give us an idea whether wind is feasible or not."

Mr Nooroa says it it is, they will then go to the next stage of drafting project proposals.