Wind Resource Assesment Process

1. Prospecting and Early Exploration

Vector first identifies a wind resource to the extent that economic viability is gauged to a degree warranting further exploration and preliminary production planning.

Vector uses sophisticated computer modeling to integrate long term regional records of weather data with local topographic surface features, producing a dynamic digital model of the harvestable wind resources at resolutions as fine as 50 meters. This work is further refined with logistical, constructability and geopolitical factors plus pricing assumptions appropriate to the particular development site. The result is an estimate of the economic value of the wind resource at the site. Logistical factors include proximity to and quality of the local roads and transmission lines. Geopolitical information includes proximity to human habitation and environmentally sensitive areas, and is used to eliminate the sites that would be unlikely to obtain the required land use permits and environmental approvals.

The output of this work is an estimate of the wind resource at a level of confidence that may be compared to an "indicated" mineral resource in mining.

2. Land Assembly and Micro-Site Testing

The follow-on phase of the development program involves land assembly and the installation of meteorological test towers on the optimal land sites. Land assembly is prioritized on the basis of estimated wind strength as well as local power grid and land ownership conditions. Meteorological towers collect data on wind speed, direction, pressure and temperature at several elevations. Running a meteorological test program is similar to undertaking a drill program in mining; it provides the hard data which is used to confirm the resource and produce pre-feasibility studies.

3. Fesability Studies

At those sites where the results of the early months of meteorological tower testing are most favorable, Vector proceeds with the third part of the exploration program. This involves the initiation of land use permitting, environmental assessments, pre-production engineering work and feasibility studies. This work results in the "proving up" of a wind reserve for the site that will be comparable to "proven mineral reserve" in mining. That is, a reserve that is supported by a "bankable" feasibility study that confirms the economic viability of immediate production.