December 1, 2006
U.K.
U.K.
The 125m (410ft) giant will be installed in the car park at Asda’s distribution depot at Foxbridge Way in Normanton if the company gets planning permission.
It would be bigger than Big Ben, which stands at 96m, and only slightly shorter than the London Eye (135m) and Blackpool Tower (158m).
The country’s tallest turbine, in Lowestoft, Suffolk, is only 1m higher at 126m.
Asda is spending £17m on plans for six turbines at sites across the UK.
It is part of long-term plans to make the company 100 per cent dependent on renewable energy.
Each turbine, which would have blades spanning 40m, would generate enough energy to power the equivalent of 1,100 homes.
Bob Simpson, head of change management, said: “Wind turbines are a clean, safe way of producing energy.
“This is an exciting project for us. Not only will it bring environmental benefits, it will also help safeguard the future of our depot by helping us overcome the impact of ever-rising energy costs.
“The turbine will completely pay back the energy it takes to build it in just eight months, and then will continue to produce carbon-free electricity for the rest of its life.”
Mr Simpson said the impact of the turbine on noise levels, house prices and migrating birds would be minimal.
He added: “If you were standing beneath it you could have a conversation without shouting. The RSPB supports wind energy and the Institute of Chartered Surveyors has found there’s no impact on house prices.
“The world is changing and everyone has to get used to the fact that we need to make the most of sustainable energy.”
A planning application is likely to be submitted to Wakefield Council early next year and the turbine could be installed within two years.
Alison Hill, of the British Wind Energy Association, welcomed the move by Asda.
She said: “Installing wind turbines at company headquarters and business centres is a very exciting new development in this area, and one already taken up by companies like Sainsbury’s and Ford. We are glad to see Asda join that group.”
The turbine plans will be on show at the Alice Bacon Community Centre, Market Street, Normanton, next Friday, December 8, from 9.30am to 4.30pm.
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2006/12/01/britains-second-biggest-wind-turbine-is-planned-for-wakefield/