CHANGE IN THE WIND

Ecotricity withdraws proposal for wind farm after consultation

21st November 2003

Ecotricity, the UK's leading green energy supplier, today announced that it is to withdraw a planning application made to Kings Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council to build 6 wind turbines at Sedgeford.

The move comes following consultation with wildlife conservation bodies and local people who had expressed concerns about the possible effect of the development on designated nature conservation areas in the Wash and Norfolk coast and also bird species such as the Pink-footed Goose.

Explaining the reasoning behind the decision Dale Vince, Ecotricity's Managing Director, said: "We've talked to our partner the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, together with the RSPB and English Nature and taken onboard their comments on the potential interference with breeding grounds. As a company we are committed to conserving the environment. Developing renewable energy production is crucial to addressing the threat from climate change but we will not do this at the expense of wildlife. Despite the fact that, in every other respect, this a good site for wind energy production, after careful and thorough consideration we are convinced that withdrawing our planning application is the right thing to do."

Tony Richardson, Chief Executive of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust said: '"We are delighted that Ecotricity have taken our opinion on this issue into account in reaching their decision. The site at Sedgeford supports internationally important numbers of Pink-footed Geese and construction of wind turbines in the area would have had a significant effect on their local populations. It is reassuring for us to see Ecotricity reconciling the need for alternative sources of energy with the conservation of British wildlife."

Rob Lucking, RSPB Conservation Officer for Norfolk said: "We are very pleased that Ecotricity have taken this decision. The RSPB have advised Ecotricity at all stages of the planning process and this decision demonstrates the value of working together to identify sites where renewable energy can be developed without risk to nature conservation interests. We have agreed to help Ecotricity to identify any likely wildlife impacts of their future proposals at an early stage to help them avoid development proposals on similarly sensitive sites."

Ecotricity carried out two bird surveys as part of a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment of the site. Both RSPB and WWT expressed concern that turbines in this location may have an unacceptable impact on pink footed geese, which are key species in nearby designated conservation areas.

The Sedgeford Hall Wind Park would have provided electricity for over 7,000 local homes and saved the environment annual emissions of over 20,448 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide (CO2), 238 tonnes of Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) and 71 tonnes of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) plus several tonnes of ash.

Ends.