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Controversial windfarm is opened on moorland

Emma Ferguson
26/ 9/2008

THE BIGGEST windfarm in England was officially opened on Thursday.

The ceremony held at the site of Scout Moor Windfarm, located on the moors above Norden, was attended by councillors, members of the construction team, schoolchildren and employees from Peel Energy.

The 26-turbine, 65MW scheme can generate enough low carbon energy to meet the average annual electricity needs of a town half the size of Rochdale – about 40,000 homes

Opponents of the scheme had criticised the windfarm over fears it might harm the environment through noise pollution and endanger wildlife on the moor.

But it was announced that £500,000 over the 25-year lifetime of the site will be available to landowners wishing to create bio-diverse habitats.

This could enhance up to 500 hectares of land, the size of 700 football pitches.

Schools are welcome to visit the windfarm and it is hoped information signs and tours for ramblers may be provided in the future.

Richard Dibley, Peel Energy’s development manager, said the opening marked a great milestone for everyone who had supported and worked on the scheme.

He said: "I’m delighted we are here for what is a landmark event.

"Judging from the breeze blowing on this calm day on Scout Moor, you can see why we thought this open moorland was an ideal site to build a windfarm.

"Thanks you for your patience and understanding during the construction period and for everybody who worked on the scheme so hard."

Mr Dibley said Peel Energy was committed to providing low carbon and renewable energy through a diverse mix of schemes such as windfarms, tidal power, biomass, multi-fuel power plants with carbon capture and storage and waste processors – enough to power three million homes or Liverpool, Manchester and Glasgow combined.

He added: "We are particularly proud that through schemes like Scout Moor both the region and ourselves are demonstrating our low carbon commitment to the rest of the UK. It is a milestone to mark the legacy it will leave for future generations."

Scout Moor was first identified as an excellent site for a windfarm in 2001 and planning permission was granted in 2005 following a public inquiry.

Around 50,000 tons of concrete and 1,250 tons of steel was used in construction. There are 141.2km of cable on site and stone was sourced from Scout Moor quarry for the 12km of new access road.

In just six months time the wind farm will generate enough electricity to compensate for the energy used in its manufacture, the firm says.