March 22, 2012
England

11-metre longer wind turbine blades given go-ahead

Scunthorpe Telegraph, www.thisisscunthorpe.co.uk 22 March 2012

The blades for the 34 wind turbines to be erected at Keadby will be 11 metres longer than slated, after plans were approved to extend their diameter.

SSE Renewables has successfully applied for what officials call a minor material amendment to potentially increase the diameter of the rotors of its approved wind farm project.

The permission was given by planning officers at North Lincolnshire Council to increase the diameter to 101 meters from 90 meters.

The maximum height from ground to tip of the turbines will remain at 125 metres (as approved under the existing permission) and to accommodate any potential increase in the rotor size there will potentially be a reduction in the height of the hub of the turbine.

Lead project manager for Keadby Wind Farm, David Sutton, said: “We welcome the decision to approve our minor material amendment to the wind farm, which will allow us some flexibility in ensuring we choose the appropriate turbines for the area, which will benefit from advances in technology and continue to protect local residents.

“We are now one step closer towards beginning construction of the wind farm, which in turn will lead to the implementation of our community benefits package.”

A future community benefits package has already been agreed in relation to the wind farm and once constructed and in operation, it will provide £100,000 a year for local initiatives and energy-saving measures.

Construction of the North Pilfrey Bridge, which provides access to the northern section of the wind farm, is expected to be complete by October before construction of the wind farm begins.

For further information, visit www.sse.com/keadby

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/03/22/11-metre-longer-wind-turbine-blades-given-go-ahead/