Harworth Estates has completed the installation of a 500KW wind turbine at the former Arkwright surface mine, close to the village of Duckmanton, near Chesterfield, Derbyshire, in partnership with Energy Prospects Co-operative Ltd. The site forms part of the former Arkwright open cast mining operation, which has been reclaimed and restored to agricultural land.
The wind turbine, which is now operating, generates sufficient energy to power around 1,000 local homes. Energy is fed into the National Grid, utilising the grid connection adjacent to the turbine site.
The wind turbine was developed in partnership with Energy Prospects Co-operative on one acre of land on the site. Energy Prospects Co-operative raised money to fund the development of the turbine through a public share offer, giving priority to those who live locally.
Harworth is also working with Energy Prospects Co-operative to develop a second 500KW turbine at the former Shafton Two Gates colliery site in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, after planning permission for the project was granted by Barnsley metropolitan borough council in January 2014. Ground works have already commenced and the turbine is expected to be operating by summer of 2015. Harworth Estates and Energy Prospects Co-operative are also currently working on planning applications for two further single turbine projects. One is near Edlington, Doncaster, and another near Selby, North Yorkshire.
Hannah Moxon, Assistant Management Surveyor, of Harworth Estates’ Natural Resources division, said: “These two projects demonstrate our expertise at transforming previously-developed land to support low-carbon energy projects. Funding through the share offer created a lot of local interest and support for the project. These wind turbines are an important part of Harworth’s commitment to the community and the environment. We also look forward to continuing to work with Energy Prospects on single turbine schemes on our other sites”.
Harworth has developed a number of renewable energy schemes on its landholdings in partnership with a number of other leading energy companies, creating new clean energy to power thousands of homes and businesses every year. The Harworth portfolio currently includes three operational wind schemes and two operational solar farms. Harworth’s Natural Resources division is dedicated to developing low-carbon energy developments, with a pipeline of projects with the potential to deliver 170MW of power from its low-carbon energy schemes – enough to power 50,000 family homes.