Did that information come from the Viridian Group Plc or Northern Ireland Electricity?
774. Dr McDonnell: I am not sure, but it seemed odd. 775. Mr Harper: Initially, wind-energy installed globally, and in Northern Ireland, was more expensive. Until relatively recently, it was a new and developing technology. It is now expanding dramatically worldwide, and B9 believes that it can offer competitively priced wind energy, especially in Northern Ireland which has a good wind energy resource. 776. Mr Surplus: There were two main reasons. First, the wind turbines were batch-produced; they are now mass-produced. In addition, the investors wanted a high rate of return because of the perceived risk with this technology. B9 has operated the turbines very well for six years, and there is investor confidence. The rate of return that investors are now demanding has come right down, and there is more confidence in the investment sector. While the price is continuing to drop, it is beginning to shallow off and will bottom out in the next couple of years. The trend now is for the turbin
