1. Windmill
Global Wind Day 2012 is New Zealand's opportunity to celebrate the
role that wind plays in meeting our energy needs.
We live in a country with an exceptional wind resource. Our wind
provides about 5% of our electricity. As wind energy is one of the
cheapest forms of new generation, it is likely that wind will be
providing 20% of our electricity by 2030.
We'd like New Zealanders to celebrate the wind on Global Wind Day
- to realise the real value of wind energy, how important it is to New
Zealand's future and how much it already contributes.

2. Did you know
• Wind in NZ generates 5% of our electricity – that is enough
to power over 10% of our homes
• Our wind will never run out, giving us an independent,
secure and low cost source of electricity both now and for
future generations
• Wind can help protect electricity prices from volatility in
fossil fuel markets - the price and supply of wind is not
dictated by political regimes in other parts of the world
• Our wind farms outperform the international average by
about 100% because our wind resource is so strong and
reliable
• Wind energy is growth industry creating jobs across the
country
• Wind will provide a fifth of our electricity needs by 2030,
and help us achieve the 90 per cent renewable electricity
target
• Wind farms don't change how land is used. A farm
continues to operate as a farm and farmers get an
additional income stream that helps them to improve
farming operations
• Wind energy embodies New Zealand's "100% pure"
reputation – no pollution, minimal environmental effects,
sustainable use of a natural resource. It supports NZ's
desire for clean economic growth.

3. Whats wind energy
• A wind turbine works the
opposite of a fan.
Instead of using
electricity to make wind,
like a fan, wind turbines
use wind to make
electricity.The wind
causes the blades to
rotate. As they turn,
they spin a shaft
attached to a generator.
It is the generator that
produces electricity.

4. How much land a turbine needs
• Wind turbines need to be
widely spaced through out a
wind farm, but their footprint is
usually 1 to 3% of the land
area in the wind farm. As most
wind turbines are located on
working farms, this minimal
land use means farming can
continue around the turbines.

5. What we think
• Research proves that
Kiwis want to be seen as
a world leader in
renewable energy and
are proud of the country's
strength in this sector. Of
all the renewable energy
sources, wind is one of
the preferred options.