Yeovil Innovation Centre wind turbine

The 15 kilowatt wind turbine at Yeovil Innovation Centre is just one of the many projects we are involved in to reduce our own carbon emissions.

Wind turbine in construction
 

About the project

The wind turbine not only makes an immediate difference to the carbon footprint of the Innovation Centre, but it also generates around £6,000 worth of electricity each year.

The scheme will also be financially profitable within a short period of time and will save us 12 per cent of the electricity used by the possible 36 businesses contained within the Innovation Centre.
 
  • The wind turbine will produce over 29,000 KWh of energy each year.
  • It is expected to achieve annual carbon savings totalling over 16 tonnes a year, which is the equivalent to the amount used by three entire households.
  • The £56,000 project was funded through an £18,000 EDF Energy grant, a £22,820 grant from the Low Carbon Building Programme and £15,563 from ourselves.
  • The payback time for our contribution is just 2.24 years, after which time it will become profitable.
 

Winner of the Green Apple award
Cllr Tom Parsley and Keith Wheaton-Green (Climate Change Officer) with Green Apple award  

Yeovil's new wind turbine which powers around twelve percent of the town's Innovation Centre has picked up a national Green Apple award.

One of South Somerset District Council's projects to reduce carbon emissions from its own activities, the twenty-metre, 15 kilo-watt turbine is expected to achieve annual carbon savings of between 10 to 16 tonnes a year - equivalent to the amount produced by three households.

The turbine was the first to be installed on any business park in South Somerset and is capable of generating 29,000 kilo-watt hours of energy each year which is around £6000 worth of electricity.

Judges commented that the turbine is a project leading a good example for other businesses and residents to follow, given its short payback time and visible location.

South Somerset District Council collected the award at a ceremony in London and it is now on display at the council's Brympton Way offices.

Cllr Tom Parsley, Portfolio Holder for Environment commented, "Where better to showcase such a worthwhile and hugely effective piece of technology than at the high-tech Innovation Centre on the outskirts of Yeovil.

"The district council's contribution should break even after 2012, after which it will become profitable.

"That is a fantastic payback time and we would encourage any business, or resident to consider follow in our footsteps. These medium sized turbines can contribute significantly to lowering your carbon footprint. We wanted to show leadership and to dispel some of the "urban myths" surrounding wind power. We are particularly proud that it has been given national recognition from the Green Apple awards.

"South Somerset District Council aims to reduce carbon emissions from its own activities, by 5% each year up to 2014, and we are serious about making real changes."

To make the project possible, South Somerset District Council had to identify the most suitable site and then build a funding package.

The £56,000 project was funded through grants including an £18,000 contribution from EDF Energy's Green Fund and £22,820 from the Low Carbon Building Programme - with South Somerset District Council funding the remaining £15,563 through its capital programme.