Inauguration

Following the completion of Bears Down Wind Farm in July 2001, the project was officially opened by local school children on 20 September 2001. The children were selected by Community Energy Plus as a result of the exceptional work they had done as part of the schools energy efficiency programme. The pupils produced a variety of work ranging from renewable energy gardens, rap music, pictures and videos.

It was a difficult task but Community Energy Plus selected two individual pupils and two schools who produced some of the very best work, to be guests of honour at Bears Down Wind Farm and to have the turbines named after them.

The inauguration was followed by a public open day on Saturday 22 September 2001 and welcomed over 450 members of the public.

Visitors were invited to take a closer look at the wind farm, view a series of exhibitions, and step inside one of the turbine towers. Members of staff were also on hand to answer questions. Many of the visitors took the time to complete a comments form about the wind farm.

The results returned were extremely positive with 96% of visitors completing the forms stating their approval of the wind farm. In addition, 57% of those who commented described the turbines as graceful, while a further 41% thought their appearance was acceptable. Only three people thought they were ugly, although at the same time they did not express disapproval of the wind farm overall.