News

Wind Is a Winner for North Down

08 April 2009

North Down’s wind turbine generated its first gigawatt hour of clean renewable energy over a five-month period from October 2008 to March 2009.

As well as supplying more than 4/5ths of the electricity requirements of the Council’s waste transfer station; the turbine ‘spilled’ extra electricity onto the grid—to date the amount spilled is sufficient to supply 240 homes for a year!

Such a very visible landmark in the Borough has naturally generated much interest among local residents. Over the past five months Council has been monitoring its performance and can now provide accurate data relating to its first quarter of operation.

Key Statistics: October-December 2008*
During this period the turbine produced 539,862 kWh of electricity:
- 18% of this was used to provide 84% of the electricity required by the Council’s Waste Transfer Station. This exceeds the objective set at economic appraisal—that the turbine would provide at least 50% of the Council’s waste transfer station needs.
- The remaining 82% of the electricity produced was ‘spilled’ onto the grid. Council can access income from this in two ways—from direct sale of the electricity to ESBIE (Electricity Supply Board) each month and from the provision of Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROC) via Ofgem to ESBIE on an annual basis.
- Council has submitted an invoice for £16,071 to ESBIE for spillage during this period.
- An estimated ROC income figure for the period is £15,000. This is based on last year’s ROC market value as the market value for the current year has not yet been published by Ofgem.

Mayor of North Down, Alderman Leslie Cree, MLA, has welcomed this information and comments: "Council is committed to using energy from renewable sources wherever possible. The construction and management of a wind turbine in the Borough has been a very ambitious project to undertake in our attempts to deliver on this.

"It has taken time for Council Officers to monitor the turbine’s performance and to establish the various contracts needed to allow us to secure income from the sale of excess electricity. However, I am delighted to learn that the turbine it delivering 84% of the electricity required by our Waste Transfer Station, well above the 50% target figure we had outlined in our economic appraisal. Furthermore, income of over £16,000 will be recouped from ESBIE for spillage of excess electricity onto the grid in the first three months of operation alone. These are excellent results."

Performance and financial data on the turbine has been reviewed by Action Renewables, Northern Ireland’s leading organisation in the promotion and development of renewable energy. Senior Programme Manager, Stephen Butler commented: "The North Down wind turbine has clearly met its objectives by providing enough power for the waste transfer station to function, as well as spilling energy back into the grid system equivalent to that needed to power 240 homes. This is a great success story on how renewables can work effectively and help reduce carbon levels which in turn help combat climate change."

Councillor Stephen Farry, Chair of the Council’s Finance Committee commented further: "The wind turbine is a real financial boon to the Council. During this financial year, we are projecting that the turbine will secure cost savings and generate income of almost £250K. Around 40% of this will involve the provision of power to the Waste Transfer Station, with 60% covering income from the sale of power on the grid.

"This is an 80% surplus on the annual running costs. At this rate, the net capital investment of the Council would be recouped within four years, and seven years without the grant being taken into consideration. This is a tremendous performance in terms of payback.

"Not only does this turbine help Northern Ireland meet its renewable energy obligations for tackling climate change, but it represents good value for money. I hope our success here will encourage others to follow suit."

* It should be noted that these figures are specific to the period. The power produced will vary throughout the year dependant on wind speed and direction.

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