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Turbines’ poor record
MUCH-criticised wind turbines on the edge of Alnwick have been out of action for almost half the time they have been installed, according to figures released following a Freedom of Information Act request by the Gazette.
The statistics, provided by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), show that the three generators at its flagship Lion House were offline for a total of 494 days since they went live on March 2, 2009. By comparison, they were working for 581 days during the same period.
The problems arose after a world-wide recall by the turbine manufacturer, Proven Energy, which discovered a fault with its P-35 model in 2009. Proven finally went bust last September, but was sold by receiver KPMG to Irish renewables firm Kingspan Wind.
However, Kingspan has refused to honour any liabilities and warranties for P-35 turbines, while KPMG has said owners will not receive their money back. The taxpayer will now have to foot the bill to get them working again.
Town and county councillor for Alnwick, Gordon Castle, said: “This is a dire service record and not a great advert for wind power in general, particularly with it being paid for in this case from the public purse.
“I’d like to see the cost-benefit equation for this one.”
Defra’s figures show that the turbines were operational between March 2 and November 30 in 2009, before being turned off for almost a year. They were back up and running until April 25, 2011, but off again for a few weeks to May 16.
They then went live again until September 26, only to be halted once more and they have not turned since then.
Defra says it hopes to return the units to operational status as soon as possible, as long as there is no ongoing health and safety risk.
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Weather for Northumberland
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: East
Comments
There are 3 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
Minsk
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 01:30 PMNo oine has explained why the turbines have on occasion been moving when there was absolutely no wind at all. Powered by electricity perhaps?!!
Nlys
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 01:29 PMWhat the Gazette has failed to ask Defra is what 'load factor' (percentage of headline capacity averaged over a year) these turbines achieved when they were working. The site us laughably inappropriate for wind power - low level, surrounded by buildings and trees. This ensures low wind speeds and a turbulent air flow. We ought to ask why these were built and who authorised the expenditure of public money on what is little more than a 'Green' vanity project by Defra.
norfolkboy14
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 07:58 AMAre you disillusioned by rising electricity prices, over dependence on the "green" dream [especially uneconomical and inefficient wind farms] and the destruction of our countryside then please register your objection to the Government by GOOGLING "E-PETITION 22958" and following the link.
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