One of the biggest onshore wind farms in the country, situated at Scout Moor above Rochdale, with 26 turbines, has announced that it is planning to expand. A public consultation programme is expected to begin within the next 6-8 weeks, and the firm said that an application to the Infrastructure Planning Commission or its successor could be made within 18 months. According to the development director of PEEL energy, Jon England,
“The existing wind farm has consistently generated large amounts of electricity, despite the fact that the UK has experienced a period of lower wind speeds over the last couple of years."
Jon stated that there is sufficient land available to more than double the output of the wind farm which benefits from a high wind resource and existing grid connections.
Discussions are now under way with the local community and interest groups and Mr England said that if the farm were to be extended, Peel Energy would put in place a "substantial" community benefit fund to finance local projects and good causes. The firm said it would also consider offering a stake to a local Co-operative.