Lincolnshire gets 8 new turbines

10th Nov 2004

This week, eight new state of the art wind turbines in Lincolnshire will begin turning for the first time and start generating enough 'clean' electricity to power over 4000 homes. The wind park at Mablethorpe on the east coast, will also massively reduce toxic green-house gas emissions - saving the equivalent of 11,000 tonnes of CO2 (carbon dioxide), 132 tonnes of SO2 (sulphur dioxide) and 40 tonnes of NOX (nitrogen oxides) from being released into the atmosphere every year.

The project has been developed by Ecotricity, the UKs leading renewable energy company, who also built Lincolnshire's first two wind turbines at this site in 2002. As well as helping to save the environment, Mablethorpe wind power will also help Co-operative Bank and CIS Ltd (CFS) save money. Electricity from six of the wind turbines is allocated to supply their offices throughout the UK, saving them around £250,000 over the lifetime of the contract in a ground breaking 'off-site' Merchant Wind Power deal with Ecotricity. The rest of the clean, green electricity will be provided to Ecotricity's domestic customers at the same price as conventional, polluting electricity.

Paul Monaghan, Head of Sustainability at CFS, said: "We already source virtually all of our electricity from renewable sources, but this deal will ensure that we are supporting the creation of new generation capacity in the UK and saving money. Business should stop bleating about the price of green electricity and commit to long-term purchase arrangements such as this."

Dale Vince, founder of Ecotricity, said "This is a really important project for the UK, as it establishes a totally new approach to the customer/supplier relationship and the deployment of new clean energy sources. Too many power companies are simply repackaging old green energy sources, adding a cost premium and claiming they are doing their bit for the environment. Only new energy sources like this will make a dent in pollution levels and Climate Change."

Lincolnshire's only wind park has already become a popular local tourist attraction and at the request of East Lindsey District Council, Ecotricity has provided onsite visitor parking and information about the construction and generation capabilities of the wind turbines. In true environmental fashion, Ecotricity's information board will be made from 400 recycled plastic bottles to help increase awareness of various ways people can help their local environment.