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Swaffham's Big Switch On

18 July 2003

Blades start to turn on the UK's Tallest Wind Turbine

The first electricity to be produced from Swaffham's latest wind turbine began flowing into the Grid at midday today ahead of schedule, following the successful completion of official G59 tests. The turbine's structure was completed last weekend and engineers have been working flat out this week to connect its equipment and monitor performance.

Ecotricity's, Managing Director, Dale Vince said, "This is another big step for Norfolk towards a more sustainable future, This turbine's come about through 'people power' and from today, it will be giving power back to the people. We are supplying homes across Norfolk from projects like this, giving people the opportunity to make a real difference by simply switching their electricity supplier."

Swaffham ll will provide enough power for over 1200 homes. This is the second turbine to be sited at Swaffham and was built by popular demand of local people. Combined with the first turbine, erected in 1999, they will supply 75% of Swaffham's total home electricity requirements, boosting Norfolk's total wind power by 30%.

Ends

Notes to Editors -

1. The G59 test is required before the turbine can connect to the grid.
2. Ecotricity is the only licensed electricity company dedicated to building urgently needed new green energy capacity to replace conventional polluting sources of electricity.
3. The building of Swaffham II is part of Ecotricity's ambitious strategy to supply one million homes with its groundbreaking new green electricity tariff. The tariff, which is available to households throughout the country, won't cost customers more than conventional electricity, because Ecotricity match local electricity supplier prices.

For further information contact:
Richard Tibenham on t:01453 769 326 f:01453 756 222 or e: richard.tibenham@ecotricity.co.uk