Ecotricity and Ford plan to build London's first wind park

24th September 2002

Ecotricity and Ford Motor Company Limited have announced plans to build London's first wind park.

In a pioneering new partnership, Ecotricity will be submitting a planning application, to build three 1.8MW wind turbines, at Ford Motor Company's Dagenham Estate.

Located only 16km (10 miles) from the City of London, the development will create a major new Thames-side landmark for the capital and will make a key contribution to the renewable energy targets outlined in the Mayor of London's draft energy strategy - preventing the emission of up to 10,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year.

If given the go ahead the park will provide 100 per cent of the electricity requirements of Ford's new 'Clean Room' Assembly Hall that is being built to expand production of high-tech diesel engines at the Dagenham engine plant. This is equivalent to enough electricity to power over 3,000 homes, around 10 million units per annum.

Dale Vince, Managing Director of Ecotricity commented: "This is a very exciting project, pioneering the commercial use of wind energy in the UK and setting an example to the rest of the world. Ford has a clear vision to improve their environmental sustainability and I'm delighted to be working with them."

Andy Taylor, Director of Corporate Citizenship, Ford Europe said: "We hope that wind turbine technology at Dagenham, coupled to continually improving fuel consumption and other environmental initiatives, will make a significant contribution to our continual efforts to reduce the impact our products and operations have on the environment."

One of the turbines will feature a 65m high public viewing platform, accessible via a stairwell located inside the turbine tower. Providing a unique opportunity to experience wind power from the heart of the machine, visitors will enjoy views that rival the London Eye. The platform is to form part of the new Visitors' Centre that Ford is planning at Dagenham.

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