FAQs

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Are there any comparable community wind-power projects in the UK and what is their experience?

There are no community projects locally. So far mainly individuals (often farmers) or statutory groups have embarked on this route, and there are projects on a larger scale. Previously turbines have only been sold to companies but the economics are changing; a faster and higher level of payback is encouraging community interest.

There is a fascinating BBC Panorama programme about wind-power generation, including an example of a community making large sums of money in Scotland. Our turbines would be on a smaller scale than their project, but the income generated would still make a significant income which we would use for the community rather than as a profit making exercise.

The edition of panorama is still available to watch on the BBC website at the following URL:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00p67m8
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Why does the Parish Council need to be involved?

The project needs a formal link with the Parish Council to demonstrate local support, to facilitate applications for grants and planning permission, and to ensure continued monitoring of the probity and capability of the project. Operating under the umbrella of the parish council allows the project to be better regulated, ensuring an open and transparent process is adhered to. We will also be able to apply for funding that would not necessarily be available to a separate entity.
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Why choose wind-power?

At present it costs three times as much to obtain the same amount of electricity from photo-voltaic panels. However these technologies are developing rapidly and in time other ‘renewables’ (such as renewable heating systems) will attract the funding currently available for wind projects.
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How is the income from two turbines calculated?

The income from each turbine is made up of three components:
  1. A feed-in tariff payment is made on the total power generated by the turbine. The feed-in tariff has just been revised upwards to 26.7p per kWh.
  2. Any power exported to the grid (i.e. the excess power generated that is not consumed by the landowner) generates a further income, estimated at being 5-6p per kWh.
  3. Power consumed by the host landowner will be sold at an agreed rate.
If both turbines are located on the same site then the feed-in tariff is reduced, therefore multiple sites are required to maximise the income. The calculations for the amounts of energy generated are based on average wind speeds on record for the potential locations combined with power generation profiles for the proposed turbines, these profiles detail how the turbines operate under different environmental conditions. These types of turbine have been in use for a good number of years and estimates based on average wind speeds have proved accurate for existing installations.
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How is the continuity of power generation ensured?

Power generation at any wind turbine is not continuous. The proposed turbines automatically start generating when the wind speed reaches 3.5 mph. The calculations are based on average power generation over the course of a year. At times when the turbines are not generating electricity, the landowner’s electricity is provided by the national grid. At times when the wind speed is sufficient to generate excess electricity it is fed into the national grid.
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If the principle grants only amount to 50% of installation cost, how will the shortfall be met?

There are many grants and funding opportunities available. We will be applying to lots of different bodies to try to cover the installation costs. We are also approaching a number of local businesses to get support wherever we can. Businesses’ support will be recognised in our publications. In order to maximise the amount of funds we can raise, we do need to show community support by raising some funds locally, We will be hosting a number of community events to raise what we can, any other donations, public or anonymous, will be gratefully received !
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What happens at the end of the 25 year anticipated life-span of the turbines?

Part of the budget would be earmarked not only for ongoing regular maintenance but also eventual replacement. As green electricity production technologies will become more and more significant, revolutionary developments in this area will hopefully be made in the course of the next 25 year. Our hope would be to take advantage of green generation initiatives as they come into existence over the years.
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How much C02 is produced in the manufacturing process of the turbines?

A Gaia-Wind turbine generating around 30,000 kWh of green electricity per year, will offset around 17 tonnes of CO2 emissions from existing energy generation. This is sufficient to bring the carbon footprint of the average four person household back to zero (household energy use + car + air travel).
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How many decibels does a running turbine produce?

The type of turbine we are most likely to consider has a low (56rpm) blade rotation speed; because of this it is particularly quiet in operation. At a distance of 60 metres from the turbine the noise levels are approximately 45db, about the level of a whisper. At 100m the noise level is approximatey 40 decibels, which is in the same region are rural night time background noise.
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What is the height of the proposed turbines?

The height of 18 metres is not much taller than a large tree and planning requirements stipulate the minimum distance from the nearest residence.
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Are there any advantages for the landowner who hosts the turbine?

Yes. The landowner would enjoy some lower energy costs as compensation for hosting the turbine and using his infrastructure to take up the energy created into the grid.
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Where are the turbines likely to be located in the parishes of Cookley and Walpole?

It is too early to confirm sites. Firstly landowners need to show willing and then technical tests need to be carried but turbines can function well both in high, open locations and also in valleys with exposure to prevailing winds.
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What is the guarantee of continuing government pay-back?

The feed-in tariff comes from the Electricity Companies who are obliged by government legislation to pay all individual or community generators of sustainable power that is fed into the grid. The cost of this is raised by a small universal levy on all consumer energy bills. The feed-in tariff continues to flow until there is a change in this legislation.