Devon's largest wind farm gets the go-ahead

12 October 2007

Energy Minister, Malcolm Wicks, has approved the 66MW Fullabrook Down wind project. The 110 metre-high turbines will be erected between Braunton and Ilfracombe and will be Devon’s largest wind farm. The 22-turbine scheme will generate clean renewable power for the annual needs of 30,000 domestic users – equivalent to over 80 per cent of domestic electricity consumption (or some 30 per cent of total energy electricity consumption) in North Devon. It will also save 65,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.

Malcolm Wicks said: "This Government is matching words with action. We said we needed to make tough choices if we are to achieve our clean energy objectives and that is exactly what we are doing. Fullabrook Down will make a substantial contribution to meeting Devon's renewable target of generating 151 MW of renewable electricity by 2010 and would be nearly double the North Devon District Council's target of 36MW." The Energy Minister added "Our renewable future is burning bright in Britain. Innovative projects like the new wave and tidal testing facility off the Orkney Islands, the recently consented Wave Hub in Cornwall and a Severn Barrage, if developed, will all ensure the UK remains a centre of renewable excellence.” “It is this vision that will triple our renewable electricity generation by 2015 and help meet our twin goals of energy security and tackling climate change."

The decision follows a four-week public inquiry into the development in December 2006 and January 2007. The turbines will be connected to the National Grid at the existing sub-station north of Barnstaple via underground lines. Each turbine will have a rated capacity of 3 megawatts giving an installed capacity of 66 megawatts. This will make a huge contribution towards delivering Devon's overall target of between 207 and 545 megawatts of power from renewables by 2010, of which at least 103 megawatts is to come from on-shore wind.

For more information contact Elizabeth Dunn on 0117 902 2738 or by email at Elizabeth.dunn@burges-salmon.com .