Introduction

This site has been produced by Devon Wind Power to provide specific information on Fullabrook wind farm, situated between Barnstaple and Ilfracombe in North Devon, and general information on wind energy.

With public concern increasing over the impact of climate change, believed to be brought about in part by burning fossil fuels, the Government set a target of generating 10% of the country's electricity from renewable sources, such as on-shore wind power, by 2010. This target is likely to be increased significantly in future years as a result of agreement within the European Union that 20% of Europe's total energy needs should be met from renewable sources by 2020.

The target likely to be set for the UK will be to source 15% of its energy needs from renewable sources by this date. The Government's consultation document, on 'Renewable Energy Strategy', published in June 2008, estimated that this would require over 30% of the UK's electricity to be generated from renewable sources by 2020.

Currently less than 5% of the UK's electricity is generated from renewable sources.

Plans for Fullabrook wind farm were approved by the Secretary of State for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, following a public inquiry, in October 2007. Read more

North Devon District Council challenged the legality of the Secretary of State's decision but the Council's case was dismissed in the High Court in June 2008. Read more

The Council has now ruled out any further legal appeals. Devon Wind Power is therefore proceeding to secure final approvals and enter into contractual commitments to enable construction of the wind farm to begin.

Despite the delays caused by North Devon District Council's unsuccessful legal challenge, Devon Wind Power is still hopeful of building the wind farm in time for it to start generating electricity by 2010.

During the period of planning, procurement and construction of the wind farm, this site will be regularly updated to report on progress towards this objective.

The wind farm will consist of 22 turbines, each with a capacity of 3 megawatts. The installed capacity of 66 megawatts will make a huge contribution towards delivering Devon's 2010 target of 103 megawatts of renewable energy from on-shore wind power. The wind farm will generate sufficient electricity to serve the needs of nearly 30,000 domestic consumers, equivalent to over 80% of domestic electricity consumption in North Devon.

Each turbine will be 65 metres high from the ground to hub, plus 45 metre blades giving a total height, to the top of the blade, of 110 metres.

The turbines will be connected to the National Grid at an existing electricity sub-station, near Barnstaple, via underground lines.

When fully operational, Fullabrook wind farm will reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by 64,600 tonnes annually and also lower emissions of other harmful pollutants such as sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide.