Wind monitoring mast to be installed at Lea Marston

Published: 04/04/2011

North Warwickshire Borough Council has granted planning permission for a temporary wind monitoring mast to be installed at land near Lea Marston. 

 The 70 metre tall, mast (approximately 20cm in diameter) will be installed in the following weeks, as part of ongoing investigations into a potential wind energy development at the site. 

The wind data gathered by the mast will contribute to technical studies into the Environment Agency-owned site, which is being investigated for renewable energy potential by developer Partnerships for Renewables. 

So far, studies suggest that the land has the potential to host two turbines with a generating capacity of 2.5 megawatts each. This could generate around 11 gigawatt hours (GWh) of green electricity every year, powering 2,400 homes*.  

A drop-in surgery for the local community is being held on Wednesday 13 April at Lea Marston Hotel, Haunch Lane, Lea Marston, Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire, B76 0BY. 

Members of the project team will be available to gather feedback, share news on project progress and answer any questions about the monitoring mast. 

Regional Manager Jo Fleming, from Partnerships for Renewables commented: “The data from the monitoring mast will enable us to gather accurate information about the wind regime on the site. This will feed into our ongoing studies to determine whether this is an appropriate site for wind energy development. 

“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. We look forward to seeing local residents at the community surgery.”

 Steve Morley, Regional Manager at the Environment Agency said: “Generating renewable energy will play a key part in reducing our dependency on non-renewable supplies and help us produce sustainable energy for future generations.  We see this as an opportunity to do our bit to help the UK meet its target and tackle climate change, which is a key priority for us.”

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

 * Note: The environmental benefit figures are based on two 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 Manager, 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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