The two North West wind farms owned and operated by renewable energy firm Banks Renewables generated enough electricity in the company’s last financial year to meet the yearly electricity needs of more 15,200 homes – or a town approximately the size of Lancaster.
The Armistead Wind Farm, which sits to the east of the M6 between junctions 36 and 37 in south Cumbria, and the Heysham South Wind Farm generated more than 47,000 MWh of electricity between them over the 12 months to the end of September – and by doing so, they displaced the equivalent annual carbon dioxide emissions for more than 4,200 petrol cars from the electricity supply network.
The six-turbine Armistead Wind Farm led the way by generating almost 27,000 MWh of green electricity over the 12 months in question, with the three-turbine Heysham South scheme producing just over 20,000 MWh during the same period.
The two schemes also delivered combined revenues of over £25,000 during the year for their respective community benefits funds, which provide financial support for local projects being undertaken by groups and good causes in the communities surrounding them.
Banks Renewables is currently looking to deploy further renewable energy technologies at a number of new sites across Scotland and the north of England, and recently announced plans for a groundbreaking new green energy hub at the former Thorpe Marsh power station site near Doncaster.
Managing director Richard Dunkley says: “The Armistead and Heysham South onshore wind farms, along with all our other schemes across the UK, are continuing to operate efficiently and are helping to generate more of the energy that we all use in our homes, school, hospitals and businesses from renewable means.
“Alongside the environmental and energy security benefits they’re delivering, our wind farms also make a long-term contribution to the well-being of the communities in which they’re located by helping to enhance the facilities and support available to local people and organisations.
“At a time when finding funding for grass roots projects can be especially challenging, this direct community contribution is more important than ever before and we are committed to maintaining it for the long-term.
“The Armistead Wind Farm has been operating efficiently for almost a decade, and with the significant environmental, energy security and community benefits it is providing, we strongly believe that it makes sense to extend its potential operational lifespan.
“Utilising the widest possible range of renewable energy generation technologies will help the UK to achieve its climate change targets and decarbonise its power supply as quickly as possible, and we continuing to explore a range of new technologies and opportunities right across the UK that will further enhance our contribution to achieving these goals.”
