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FEATURE SPONSOR


PLANNING ISSUES


ADDITIONAL BENEFITS


There are additional benefits. Small turbines standing 25 metres to the tip typically save 14 tonnes of carbon annually. Medium- sized turbines with a tip height of 75 metres can save some 630 tonnes annually; large turbines standing 100 to 125 metres above the ground at the tip can save circa 2,500 and 3,800 tonnes respectively.


Other drivers are equally pressing. UK electricity prices have risen more than 9.1% on average during the past ten years. The Department of Energy and Climate Change’s (DECC) most likely prediction is for prices to rise by a further 58% in the next decade. This makes local renewable energy very attractive.


In addition, the Government’s renewable energy target has been for the UK to generate 10% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2010, rising to a legally-binding 15% by 2020 under the EU Renewable Energy Directive.


PRACTICAL RESPONSIBILITIES TO MANCHESTER, THE UK AND THE WORLD


Rochdale Borough Council has other responsibilities. As a partner to the Greater Manchester Climate Change Strategy, it has agreed to 48 per cent CO2


emissions


cuts by 2020. The Rochdale Green Action Plan is the council’s overarching sustainability strategy.


This also supports the Greater Manchester Low Carbon Hub scheme to cut CO2 emissions as part of its City Deal with the Government.


The council uses 27.5GWh of electricity itself each year to power buildings and offices. The 2012-2013 cost was £2.8 million, excluding street lighting and leisure sites. Its annual Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) tax bill in 2012 was £339,000.


Bold promises call for bold actions. Municipal wind power makes financial and environmental sense.


LONG TERM VISION


Rochdale Borough Council’s long-term vision is to establish a Rochdale Energy Service Company that will sell electricity to the national grid, or directly to local residents and businesses at a significantly discounted rate.


During times of possible power blackouts - or ‘brownouts’ where industry suffers power cuts - predicted later this decade as polluting UK fossil-fuel power stations are closed, local wind energy would provide an essential power back up for the local community.


ROCHDALE’S ACTION PLAN FOR A WINDY FUTURE


The programme the Council is developing would include the procurement of three medium-sized and up to nine small turbines that will form the Rochdale Council Energy programme within the authority’s Capital Programme.


The Council is also keen to support community ownership of renewable energy projects. To do this, it is in discussions with a recently formed Community Energy Group for the Borough. They are investigating the potential for joint development of a small turbine site between the Council and community. Survey results show there is no opportunity for large turbines on the Council’s land holdings.


As the ‘wind capital of Greater Manchester’, Rochdale is already home to an operational wind farm on Scout Moor, with an approved second site at Crook Hill. It is also interested in developing a number of smaller scale opportunities around the borough.


However, mindful that wind turbines can be controversial, it does not want to allow private landowners and developers to take all the remaining capacity for wind development. In particular it is aware of increasing arguments about the cumulative visual impact of too many turbines too close together.


Rochdale Borough Council’s positive experience could help other authorities to maximise their remaining prime wind farm opportunities. However, early action may be important.


ASC Renewables


www.windenergynetwork.co.uk


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