MP blown away by wind turbine site

24th October 2012
MP blown away by wind turbine site

Gordon Henderson MP has visited the construction site at HMP Standford Hill where two wind turbines will be located providing electricity to the prison.

Partnerships for Renewables (PfR) in conjunction with the Ministry of Justice was granted planning permission for two Enercon E82, 2.3MW wind turbines which will be 121metres in height and will have a power output of 10GWh per year which is equivalent to the power demand of around 2,250 average homes over the course of a year. The wind turbines are expected to be up and running in January 2013.

PfR is also supporting local communities by committing to pay at least £2,500 per MW per year into a Community Benefit Fund, of which the industry-agreed minimum is £1,000. This will mean the Fund at Standford Hill will be £11,500 per year. PfR will help facilitate discussions with residents and groups in the east end of Sheppey about how the money will be managed and spent.

Stephen Ainger, the CEO at PfR said

“We are delighted that work is progressing on schedule at Standford Hill and we look forward to this landmark project producing its first electricity early next year. Standford Hill is the first of our sites to be built in partnership with the Ministry of Justice, which represents a major milestone for PfR as a company.

“Our aim is to build a green energy project that the Isle of Sheppey can be proud of and we look forward to seeing the first examples of how the Community Benefit Fund we’re setting up can help local groups deliver real benefits to the neighbouring community.”

Mr Henderson added:

“If agreement can be reached for them to supply power to Sheppey’s prisons, this will reduce their energy bills and be a further saving to taxpayers.

“In addition, they will be providing a direct monetary benefit to communities in the east end of Sheppey.”