19 July 2010
EDF Energy Renewables is to hold a series of public exhibitions as part of its consultation on its plans to develop a wind farm at Withy Farm near Puriton.
The exhibitions are being held to provide the public with more information about the project and answer any questions local residents or other interested parties may have.
The proposals are for nine 2 MW turbines capable of producing enough electricity to supply the annual requirements of over 10,000 homes and could lead to savings of at least 17,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year.*
Site investigations are continuing and include the use of a temporary meteorological monitoring mast at the site which is gathering information on weather conditions and wind-speeds.
Environmental consultants have also been appointed to undertake the initial studies including a full environmental impact assessment. The assessment will investigate any potential impacts that the construction and operation of the proposed wind farm might have.
Feedback from the public consultations will be addressed in the environmental impact assessment and the results of these investigations will be made available for public viewing once completed.
The dates and locations of the public exhibitions are:
- Puriton Village Hall, Riverton Road, TA7 8BP, 11am-7pm, Monday August 2
- East Huntspill New Village Hall, Church Road, TA9 3PQ, 10am-8pm, Tuesday August 3
- Princess Theatre, Burnham-on-Sea, TA8 1EH, 2-8pm, Thursday August 12
- Angel Place Shopping Centre, Bridgwater, TA6 3TQ, 9am-5pm, Saturday August 14
The exhibitions will take a ‘drop-in’ format, so people can turn up when convenient for them. Members of the project team and environmental consultants will be on hand to provide a general introduction to the project and answer questions.
The consultation runs to Friday August 20 and local residents can provide feedback at the exhibitions, online after the exhibitions at www.edf-er.com, calling freephone 0800 169 6507, emailing consultation@withyendwindfarm.co.uk or by writing to Freepost Consultation Response (Withy End).
Dennis Garry, EDF Energy Renewables’ Development Manager for the project, said: “Local opinion is very important to us and we would encourage anyone who has a question or is interested in the project to come along to discuss the plans with us.
“We have gathered an extensive amount of information on the site already and this consultation will also form an integral part of our preliminary investigations for this project.
“We’ve opted for informal sessions taking place during the day and in the evenings so those interested will be able to drop in whenever convenient and that will help us to see more people.
“We believe the site is very suitable for a wind farm and if approved, would provide low carbon energy for years to come. Renewable energy projects like this demonstrate our commitment to low carbon energy sources, and the importance EDF Energy Renewables places on sustainable development.”
For more information go to www.edf-er.com
*Based on current figures supplied by British Wind Energy Association (BWEA)
Ends
For further information please contact Dan Pritchard in the EDF Energy press office on 01392 813783.
Notes to editors:
EDF Energy Renewables
EDF Energy Renewables is a 50:50 Joint Venture between EDF Energy and EDF Energies Nouvelles. It combines its parent companies’ renewable energy development skills, expertise, and resources in one place to spearhead EDF Group’s renewables development activities in the UK. EDF Energy Renewables formalises a well established history of cooperation between the two sister EDF Group companies and creates a vehicle for the development, acquisition and operation of renewable energy assets, both on and offshore, in the UK.
EDF Energy
EDF Energy is one of the UK’s largest energy companies, producing around one-fifth of the nation's electricity from its nuclear, coal and gas power stations, as well as combined heat and power plants and wind farms. The company provides power to a quarter of the UK’s population via its electricity distribution networks and supplies gas and electricity to more than 5.5 million business and residential customers. It is the number one supplier of electricity to major business in the UK.
EDF Energy’s safe and secure operation of its eight existing nuclear power stations at sites across the country makes it the UK’s largest generator of low carbon electricity.
EDF Energy is also leading the UK's nuclear renaissance and has published plans to build four new nuclear reactors, subject to the right investment framework. These new plants would generate enough low carbon electricity for about 40 per cent of Britain’s homes. They would make an important contribution to the UK’s future needs for clean, secure and affordable energy. The project is already creating business and job opportunities for British companies and workers.
Through Our Sustainability Commitments, EDF Energy has launched the biggest environmental and social programme of any UK energy company.
EDF Energy is part of EDF Group, one of Europe’s largest power companies. Following the integration with British Energy in 2009, the company employs nearly 20,000 people.
EDF Energies Nouvelles
With operations in ten European countries and in America, EDF Energies Nouvelles is a market leader in renewable energies. With a development focused on wind energy for several years and more recently on solar photovoltaic, now a second priority avenue of development, the Group is also present in other segments of the renewable energies market: small hydro, biomass, biofuel and biogas. In addition, the Group is expanding its presence in the distributed renewable energies sector.
EDF Energies Nouvelles is a 50 %-owned subsidiary of the EDF Group. Since November 2006, EDF Energies Nouvelles is listed in Euronext Paris, code "EEN", ISIN code: FR0010400143).