GREEN LIGHT FOR EDF ENERGY RENEWABLES’ PARK SPRING WIND FARM PROPOSAL
A proposal by EDF Energy Renewables for a new wind farm development in South Yorkshire has been given the go ahead by the local planning authority.
Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council’s Planning Committee recently voted to approve the company’s planning application for the Park Spring wind farm on a site between the villages of Great Houghton and Grimethorpe, east of Barnsley.
The six megawatt scheme will incorporate three turbines with a height, from ground to the tips of the blades, of up to 126.5 metres and will produce enough low carbon electricity to supply the average annual electricity needs of up to 3,200 homes1.
Once the procurement of turbines and construction contracts have been completed, EDF Energy Renewables will also set up a Park Spring local community fund, and pay in £5,000 per megawatt every year, over the anticipated 25 year lifetime of the project.
This will provide a dedicated fund of £30,000 each year, administered by a local community foundation, to support local initiatives, activities and events.
Approval of the scheme was welcomed by the company. EDF Energy Renewables’ Director of Onshore Wind, Matthieu Hue said: “We are delighted with the Council’s decision and the positive outcome for this development proposal.
“We consider the Park Spring site to be an excellent location for the size of wind farm proposed – it will contribute to the generation of low carbon electricity in South Yorkshire, help meet government renewable energy targets and the country’s future energy supply needs. It will also generate significant benefits for the local community.
“We have consulted widely with local people in developing this proposal and would like to thank them for their input and involvement in the process. We are committed to keeping the local community involved throughout the construction and operation of the wind farm and look forward to working with them as we take the project forward.”
During its consultation on the scheme and following feedback from the local community, EDF Energy Renewables revised its plans for the proposed construction access route. The new access route will use Park Spring Road and avoid the village of Great Houghton.
EDF Energy Renewables will now draw-up detailed plans for the construction of the wind farm. The company is keen to keep the local community involved as it takes the development forward and will talk to local residents about the construction plans and timetable in the near future.
ENDS
1 Please note these figures are based on onshore turbines operating at 26.06% capacity (2008-2012 average load factor for onshore wind from Digest of UK Energy Statistics) and assuming 4,222 is the average UK household electricity consumption in kW hours (based on DECCs publication URN:13D/310 December 2013).
Details of the Park Spring wind farm project are available at www.edf-er.com