Wind Energy

Wind power in UK: Vattenfall new wind energy plant in Lutterworth

Energy firm Vattenfall said the first heavy load would arrive at the Swinford site near Lutterworth on June 11. It is expected that 83 similar lorry loads will bring the blades and the British-built tower segments for the 11 wind turbines to be built on to the site from the M1.

The 410ft (125m) wind turbines will be erected by the end of August and the firm hopes they will start producing power later this year. They will generate enough electricity for 12,300 homes.

Will Wason, Swinford Wind Energy construction manager, said: "We are now making final preparations in advance of delivery of the first turbine towers, which we anticipate will begin arriving in early June. Earlier this week, we carried out a trial delivery for the turbine components to the site which was completed successfully. We will ensure people are kept updated on progress with the project.

"Over the coming weeks an update newsletter will be sent to all homes in the area." The wind farm was approved by the then Secretary of State John Denham in December 2009, following a planning inquiry earlier that year. Workers have been developing the site, constructing road ways and turbine bases since November.

ProWind Alliance spokesman Grahame Jordan, who lives near the wind farm, said: "I am glad that the wind power project will soon be producing renewable energy for the nation. "I was on the site on Monday to see the trial delivery.

"It appears that there will be no problem transporting the sections off the M1 south of junction 20 at Lutterworth." A community fund is being designed to give money to projects in the area over the 25-year life of the wind turbines.

Consultation sessions on the development of that fund are being held at Swinford village hall on June 12 and at the Walcote Memorial Hall on the following day.

www.swinfordwindfarm.com