Wind power to cut bills

blackpool.citizen.co.uk
Thursday 14th September 2006

Blackpool's windy coastline could be used to help power the resort's famous illuminations.

Three wind turbines will be put up at the side of Sandcastle Waterworld to try and reduce harmful CO2 emissions and also to work out how cost effective energy, drawn from the wind, could be.

Street lighting, traffic signs, municipal buildings and the Illuminations costs £1million per year making the council's electricity bill higher than most other authorities.

It is hoped the £147,000 environmentally friendly devices, which are two three-blade models and one helical turbine with S' shaped blades, will help cut bills by £13,250 helping the costs break even within a ten year period or less if energy prices increase.

Blackpool council have applied for a £50,000 grant from the Carbon Trust and Scottish Power Energy Trust and will supplement the remainder of the cash with a capital project loan.

Councillor Roy Fisher, Blackpool Council leader, said: "We have a responsibility to our council tax payers to reduce costs where ever possible.

"We have therefore instigated this pilot to give us further evidence to consider a wider project. Geographically, Blackpool is in a tremendous position to harness the power of the wind and turn it to our advantage." The benefits of Blackpool's seafront location will also be evaluated in terms of producing green electricity to offset energy costs including the Illuminations which uses nearly a million kilowatt hours of electricity emitting 420 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year.

The decision follows research at the Solaris Centre, Promenade, Blackpool, which has its own turbines that have proved to be cost effective. Dave McGrath, sustainable education officer at Solaris, said: "If we don't start doing things like this we will be creating a very horrible world for our children and grandchildren.

"One very different than the one we know today." It is hoped the turbines, which should last 25 years, will be installed by spring.