North East

West Durham Wind Farm

This wind farm will produce 24 megawatts of green electricity from 12 turbines, enough electricity to meet the needs of 13,400 homes. This planning permission resulted in County Durham being the first county in England to deliver its 2010 target for renewables generation.


Current site activity can be summarised as:

• Civil engineering and electrical works have started on site. Our main contractors are Hanson Contracting and Agrilek
• The 12 REpower MM82 turbines will arrive on site early in 2009. Each turbine will generate 2MW of renewable electricity
• The turbines have a hub height of 59m, a rotor diameter of 82m giving a maximum tip height of 100 metres
• The local grid operator, NEDL, has also started construction of the connection to the grid. The 66KV connection is 4km long and includes sections of both overhead and underground cables.
• Habitat and landscape improvements, including tree planting and biodiversity enhancements will be carried out following completion of the wind farm construction works.

Click here for a plan showing the wind farm design.

Benefits of the West Durham Wind Farm

• This planning permission delivered County Durham’s target for onshore wind power to 2010.
• A reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by harnessing wind as an alternative to the burning of fossil fuels
• Produce an indigenous energy supply, contributing to the reduction of the UK's reliance on imported fossil fuels
• Generating employment during the design and permitting of the wind farm. We have contracted with over 60 different companies during this process
• Create employment opportunities during the manufacturing and construction period of the project. Hanson Contracting and Agrilek employ around 50 people for wind farm construction and have a combined annual turnover of some £20 million
• Support farm diversification and more ecologically and environmentally friendly agricultural practices in a marginal agricultural area
• A Community Benefits Fund of £24,000 per year ring fenced for spending in the communities closest to the development
• Habitat and landscape improvements including new public access and planting to increase the biodiversity of the area.