As part of Coleraine Borough Council’s energy saving strategy and its commitment to the use of renewable energy techniques where possible, the Depot at Loughanhill has been recently fitted with a 20kWp (Kilowatt Power) Windsave Wind Turbine.

The turbine takes its place alongside a 5kWp Solar Panel which was installed at the Depot in October 2005. Designed to harness wind energy, the turbine will generate approximately 50,000 (Kilowatt hours) of renewable electricity each year making a substantial saving on the Depot’s energy bill and at the same time displacing tonnes of carbon emissions.

Wind generated power is clean, convenient and free source of electricity and complements theCouncil’s long term plan to install renewable energy practices at Council owned buildings where convenient.

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Willie Elder, Coleraine Borough Council's Senior Technical Officer, said: "Society is beginning to face the grim reality of an unsustainable future resulting from an overuse of non renewable energy sources. Global warming and climatic disorder are the unfortunate responses to the overheating of our atmosphere as we continue to release millions of tonnes of greenhouse gases such as CO2 each year.

"If we are going to reduce some of the damage from global warming and hit the targets set by the UK Government on CO2 reduction, we need to start immediately making the switch to alternative forms of energy such as wind, solar and biomass. All of which are cleaner, greener, and less damaging renewable sources."

Mr Elder concluded: "Not only do renewable energy sources go towards helping save the environment, it is also very cost effective, leading to long term financial savings on electricity costs; we look forward to all the benefits what will come from improving our sources of electricity."

The Wind Turbine was financed by the Energy Saving Trust and Coleraine Borough Council.

(JM)