Little Cheyne Court Wind Farm
Construction work is underway on the Little Cheyne Court Wind Farm - the most powerful onshore wind farm in the south of England.
When complete, the 26 turbines on Romney Marsh will generate clean electricity equivalent to the annual electricity demand of three quarters of the homes in the Shepway District Council area.
The wind farm will make a valuable contribution to the south east target of 20% of electricity to be generated by renewable energy by 2020.
Regional Development Manager Simon Holt said, "Little Cheyne Court is a landmark project for Kent, the south east and the UK. It will be the most powerful onshore wind farm in the south of England and every year will offset the release of thousands of tonnes of carbon dioxide, making a valuable contribution to the fight against climate change."
The turbine deliveries are underway and the first turbine was erected on 17 June 2008. Electricity generation is expected to begin in early 2009.
A habitat management group, which includes representatives from English Nature and the RSPB, has been established, and a community liaison group, made up of local residents, meets regularly to discuss the construction.
Simon continued, "We are working closely with people in the local area to ensure that the building of the wind farm causes as little disruption as possible. If anyone does experience any problems we want them to contact us so that we can reach solutions together. To this end, we have set up a phone line, as well as a dedicated email address, so that people can contact us directly."
Anyone who would like to get in touch with npower renewables, please call the community phone line on 08000 193243, or email lcc@npower-renewables.com.
Deliveries to the site are being sensitively managed in conjunction with the police and local highways authority to keep disturbance and delay to a minimum.
Shepway Friends of the Earth have supported the wind farm and said:
"Congratulations to the npower renewables team for overcoming the many obstacles that might have stopped this wind farm from getting the go ahead. We supported you from the onset and I am proud to say that the Little Cheyne Court Wind Farm has been the most important and successful campaign we have ever been involved in."
