A nine turbine windfarm at Batsworthy Cross, Knowstone in North Devon, has successfully received planning consent.
RWE npower renewables was given planning permission for Batsworthy Cross Wind Farm by a Government appointed planning inspector following a public inquiry into the application which ended in September 2012.
Once the wind farm has been constructed and is operating, the local community will receive a windfall of £18,000 per year over 25 years with local people having a say on how it would be spent.
Lewis Elder, Renewables Developer at RWE npower renewables, one of the UK’s leading wind energy companies, said: "We are very pleased that the planning inspector has agreed with us that this is an appropriately sited and designed wind farm. It will provide enough electricity to meet the annual average needs of approximately 8,700 households(1). Furthermore , Batsworthy Cross Wind Farm will make a substantial contribution to clean energy supply and the reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases.”
Construction of the wind farm also presents opportunities for local economic benefit and employment. Whilst we follow current legislation and a competitive tender process for each part of the works, it is normal to expect that local suppliers and contractors with appropriate skills will be well placed to tender for contracts.
Lewis Elder added: “We have consulted with the local community during the planning and development of this wind farm and, as a responsible developer, we will continue to work with the community throughout the next stages of the project as the wind farm is constructed.”
Contact:
Ffion Davies, PR Officer, RWE npower renewables
T 01793 474192
E ffion.davies@rwe.com
Amy Bodey, Senior PR Officer, RWE npower renewables
T 01793 474 259
E amy.bodey@rwe.com
Footnote
(1) Energy predicted to be generated by the proposal has been calculated using an assumed capacity factor of 26% (DTI Energy Trends UK regional capacity factors 1998-2004), and is based on an installed capacity of 18MW. The energy capture predicted and hence derived homes equivalent or emissions savings figures may change as site specific information is gathered.
Equivalent homes supplied is based on an annual electricity consumption per home of 4700 kWh. This figure is supported by recent domestic electricity consumption data available from The Digest of UK Energy Statistics and household estimates and projections from the UK Statistics Authority.
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