Huhne opens revamped Delabole wind farm
Emily Smoucha
23rd February 2011
The UK’s first commercial wind farm was officially re-opened by Chris Huhne yesterday after being revamped with more powerful turbines.
The
Energy and Climate Change Secretary took time out of a tour of the
South West to visit
Good Energy’s
Delabole wind farm, which has completed a £11.8 million project to replace the 10 wind turbines with four stronger ones.
The new turbines will more than double the wind farm’s energy production to 9.2 megawatts, able to power about 7,000 homes. They will provide energy to 20 per cent of Good Energy’s 26,000 customers, which include both homes and businesses.
"Delabole was the first commercial wind farm in the UK and, in its new form, it remains at the forefront of best practice," said Huhne. "Wind is an abundant, clean, home-grown alternative to fossil fuels. It can’t be blown off course by instability abroad, and so it’s vital that we use it for our low carbon, energy security."
Marine power
On his
South West tour, Huhne also visited Falmouth in Cornwall where he welcomed the signing of a £3 million deal between Aquamarine Power and Fugro Seacore, which will see Aquamarine Power’s Oyster 2 wave device installed off Orkney later in the year.
"This is good news for the British marine energy sector – from here in Falmouth to Orkney, where the Oyster device will be deployed, " said Huhne. "Marine energy has the potential to sustain growth, quality employment and skills in the South West and the UK’s wider, fast-developing low carbon economy. The Coalition is determined to ensure this potential is realised."
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