Partner Article

Politicians celebrate start on wind farm

A special turf-cutting ceremony on Friday 11 July marked the start of work on the North East’s largest wind farm.

The turf was cut at the West Durham Wind Farm by Hilary Armstrong, MP for North West Durham; Derwentside District Council leader Alex Watson; and Harry Banks, chair of the Banks Group that is constructing the site. The development will cost £30m and will power around 15,700 homes, which equates to 46% of residential Derwentside.

The first turbine will arrive at the beginning of 2009 and will be 100 metres high, including blades. The 12-turbine farm, situated near Tow Law, will be complete in the summer of that year.

Rob Williams, Renewable Projects Director at Banks, said: “We’re very pleased to be receiving the support of our local MP and council leader in getting the project officially under way. The recent government announcement on the future of energy in the UK highlighted the importance of onshore wind power generation, and the West Durham Wind Farm will further enhance the provision of secure local energy generation.”

For more information on Banks Construction, please visit www.banksdevelopments.com.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .