Middlemoor Wind Farm

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npower renewables has been given consent by the Government to construct and operate Middlemoor Wind Farm in Northumberland.

Once operational, this wind farm will generate enough power to supply the average needs of some 27,600 homes - more than enough to power the equivalent of every home in both Alnwick and Berwick.

The decision by the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (DBERR) to grant consent follows a three-week public inquiry into the scheme which concluded in December 2007.

Clare Wilson, Regional Development Manager, said, "We are delighted that John Hutton and Malcolm Wicks have decided that we can construct and operate the Middlemoor Wind Farm.

"Renewable energy technologies such as wind are essential to cutting UK carbon emissions and this is an excellent step forward in the battle against climate change, as well as to securing the UK's energy supply. "Of course, we will continue to work with local communities, and are committed to substantial efforts to protect and where possible enhance the environment."

The site benefits from a number of features that allowed us to design an environmentally-friendly wind farm:

  • Open exposed farmland that benefits from good wind speeds.
  • Sparsely populated area allowing a good separation from existing properties.
  • The turbines would coexist with existing agricultural practices to support farm diversification.
  • There are no national or regional landscape designations.
  • Underground grid connection available.

The proposal is for a scheme of 18 turbines, with a combined maximum output of between 54-75 megawatts.

Detailed environmental assessments of the site and the surrounding area were undertaken over a 5 year period.

The wind farm will provide a number of local environmental benefits through a habitat management plan and would provide local economic benefits especially during construction. npower renewables will also be establishing a community benefits package for the local community, education, energy efficiency, and environmental projects.