Warwickshire News Mine

The installation of the turbine is one of a number being activated across Warwick District this month as part of a project to assess the practicality of getting more sustainable energy sources in common use.

Hill Close Garden Centre in Warwick, the Princes Drive Recycling Centre near Leamington and a resident’s home in Leamington, are the first three sites for wind turbine installations.

An Ampair wind turbine will provide enough sustainable energy to provide all the hot water needs for an average household – up to 30 per cent of a household’s energy needs.

The aim of the Warwick Mircowind Trial is to evaluate the contribution that roof-top mounted wind turbines may make in improving the energy performance of existing homes in Warwickshire and the UK and their role in meeting climate change targets for renewable energy generation and reducing carbon emissions.

The project is coordinated and run by Encraft (a local Leamington-based company of consulting engineers) working in partnership with Action21, Warwick District Council and Warwickshire County Council.

The Pilkington Energy Efficiency Trust funds the research element of the project and the DTI, British Wind Energy Association and the Micropower Council also support it.

Cllr Martin Heatley, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio holder for the Environment, said: “Having seen this wind turbine in action, and how unobtrusive it is, I am now considering one for my farm. I can’t see any reason why the farming community of Warwickshire should not invest `to save’ in wind turbines and other environmental methods, such as bio diesel.

“This once again emphasises the action we should all be taking now to tackle climate change and the Warwick Microwind Trial is a step in the right direction in looking at alternative ways to provide energy.”

Matthew Rhodes, Managing Director of Encraft, said: “This is the first of its kind in Warwick, and a part of the biggest trial of urban wind turbines in the country. It’s great to see Warwickshire County Council taking a lead on this.”

Chris Begg, Project Manager for Hill Close Gardens Trust, said: “The new wind turbine is the most visible feature of our new energy efficient Hill Close Centre. From Easter onwards we will welcome visitors to our gardens at weekends, and while they enjoy tea and cake in the centre, they can watch a real-time display of sustainable energy in action.”

For more information on the wind trials visit http://www.warwickwindtrials.org.uk or for general information on Warwickshire’s action on climate change visit http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/climatechange

Link to WCC