Three New Wind Farms Granted Consent

Last edited: Thursday, 28th February 2008, 1:37 pm
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Malcolm Wicks, the Energy Minister, has given permission for three new wind farms to be built.

Keadby, North Lincolnshire
The 85 Megawatt onshore wind farm planned at Keadby, North Lincolnshire is being developed by Renewable Energy Systems Ltd (RES) and will have 39 turbines, producing enough clean electricity to power up to 38,000 homes.

Chris Shears of Renewable Energy Systems, said:
"The Keadby wind farm site has been carefully selected following a thorough review of potential sites and is one of a very small number of acceptable locations where a large wind farm can be accommodated in the Yorkshire and Humber region. It has been designed to minimise impacts on local residents and the environment whilst maximising new clean energy generation."

As well as generating renewable energy, the wind farm will provide a sustainable income for the farmers who own the land, an £85,000 a year community fund to be spent on local projects, local sourcing of labour where possible, and wildlife enhancement measures at the site.

Gunfleet Sands II, Essex
A 64 Megawatt offshore wind farm (Gunfleet Sands II) is planned for the Thames Estuary. The development by DONG Energy, a Danish company, will lay a minimum of 5 miles from the Essex coast at Frinton-on-Sea on the seaward side of the already consented, but not yet built, 108 Megawatt Gunfleet Sands wind farm (Gunfleet Sands I). Gunfleet Sands II will comprise a maximum of 22 turbines, enough to power up to 45,000 homes.

Frits Kristoffersen, Project Manager for the Gunfleet Sands project, said:
"This is our 3rd offshore windfarm in Great Britain. The Gunfleet Sands project, including the second phase will generate 172MW of clean energy, enough renewable energy for approximately 120,000 households or approximately 20% of the households in Essex, The project will make a considerable contribution to the domestic UK target of reducing CO2 emissions by 20% below 1990 levels by 2010."

The project consists of two phases, Gunfleet Sands 1 with 30 turbines and Gunfleet Sands 2 with 18 turbines. The capacity of each turbine is 3.6MW, giving a total capacity of the Gunfleet Sands project of 172MW. The rotor diameter of the turbines is 107m, with a maximum height of 129m from blade tip to sea level.

Thorne, South Yorkshire

A 66 Megawatt onshore wind farm planned at Thorne, South Yorkshire. The development by E.ON UK Renewables Limited (E.ON) will have 22 turbines, enough to power up to 26,500 homes.

Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks said:
"These three new wind farms will add a further 215 Megawatts of green energy to the renewables revolution that is sweeping through the UK.

"Real momentum for renewables in the UK is building. Through our Renewables Obligation we have more than doubled the amount of renewable electricity, and this will triple again to 15% by 2015 through changes in the Energy Bill. We are on course to overtake Denmark next year as the world leader in offshore wind and we are reviewing our strategy to take us even further."


 

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