Somerton turbine goes live!

21st July 2000
On Monday 24th July, between 6pm and 6.30pm, Great Yarmouth's super new wind turbine at West Somerton, will be connected to the local electricity network, to provide local homes with clean 'green' power. One of BBC Look East's presenters will perform the ceremony 'live' on TV, accompanied by Dale Vince, Managing Director of Next Generation, the company responsible for this turbine and the much celebrated Ecotricity turbine in Swaffham.

A team arrived from Germany yesterday to carry out the commissioning of the turbine, undertaking final programming and checks prior to the turbine going 'live'. The final stage will be a G59 test, required by Eastern Electricity, which enables the turbine to be connected to the local grid.

Once up and running this machine will generate a significant amount of 'pollution free' electricity, providing 5% of Great Yarmouth's domestic electricity requirements. The E-66 turbine is one of a new generation of wind turbines, which have no gearbox or high speed drive train components, making them exceptionally quiet.

Dale Vince urges local people to visit the machine and take a look for themselves, "This turbine demonstrates the best wind technology in the world and I'm sure the people of Somerton will love it!"

Next Generation has already begun planning its next wind park at South Denes Industrial Area, South Beach Parade in Great Yarmouth. The company was delighted when planning permission was recently granted for 4 Enercon E-66 machines. Initially two machines will be installed, both under the Government's Non Fossil Fuel Obligation.