Potential wind turbine site near Louth Canal

Published: 06/09/2010

Renewable energy developer, Partnerships for Renewables (PfR) is investigating the possibility of putting wind turbines on land at Louth Canal, near Tetney.

 Initial investigations suggest that the land, owned by the Environment Agency, has the potential to host four turbines with a generating capacity of 2.5 megawatts each. This could generate around 22 gigawatt hours (GWh) of green electricity every year, powering 4,800 homes*. 

 PfR’s Regional Manager Jo Fleming commented: ‘Although studies are still in their preliminary stages we are now starting to discuss plans with neighbours and communities. This will enable us to see how we can best shape an effective wind energy development and could potentially include the use of neighbouring land.

 He continued: “The site is currently undergoing various environmental investigations including ecology and ornithology. The next stage of the project will be to apply for planning permission to erect a wind monitoring mast. The mast will collect data to establish if prevailing wind conditions at the site would make turbines sufficiently productive. If studies prove positive and the decision is taken to progress with a development at the site we would expect to be ready to submit a planning application no earlier than mid-2011.  If at any point the site appears unsuitable for wind energy development, we will stop work on it.”

 Local communities and interest groups are a key part of the project and are being invited to contribute to the investigations, with access to information about the project throughout the development process.

 Simon Mitchell, Environment Manager at Environment Agency said: ‘Using our land in a way that will help produce green energy, at no cost to us, is great news for the environment and something which I hope other landowners, both public sector and private, will consider.’

 A public exhibition to introduce the proposal and the project team to the local community will be held on September 24 from 2pm to 7pm at Tetney Village Hall, Humberston Road, Tetney, DN36 5NG.

 For further information please visit: www.pfr.co.uk/louthcanal

 * Note: The environmental benefit figures are based on four 2.5 megawatt turbine, operating with a 25% capacity factor; average household electricity use of 4478kWh per annum; and the electricity generated displacing electricity generated from CCGT / average fuel mix - approx. 430gCO2/kWh.

 -Ends-

 For further information please contact:

Jo Reeves, Communications Officer, Partnerships for Renewables

Tel: 07540 688 031 or email: jo.reeves@pfr.co.uk

Editor’s notes:

• Partnerships for Renewables is a Carbon Trust Enterprise set up to partner with public sector bodies to explore renewable energy potential on their land. This means that all development costs are met by Partnerships for Renewables and their partners do not have to divert any funds away from frontline services. The company has been investigating Environment Agency sites for possible development across England and Wales since 2008.
• Should the development go ahead The Environment Agency will receive a percentage of the profits from the electricity generated by the wind turbines.

For more information on PfR please visit www.pfr.co.uk

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