RWE: Planning application submitted for Kirkby Moor Repowering Wind Farm

The application is for the removal of the existing 12 turbines and replacing these with up to 6 turbines, each with a maximum height of 115 metres to the blade tip. The total generating capacity of the proposed wind farm would be between 12MW and 18MW which could generate enough electricity to power between 9,600 and 12,600 homes. This is based on a UK average annual domestic electricity consumption of approximately 4,500kWh(1).

The design and development of the proposal have been shaped through a full range of environmental studies and assessments to establish the suitability of the site for the proposed wind farm, including wide-ranging consultation with the local community.

More than 100 local residents attended consultation events held by RWE and were able to feed into the design of the proposals.

Chris Gainey, RWE Innogy UK developer, said: “Kirkby Moor is a proven good location for an onshore wind farm. Onshore wind works today – and is providing an increasing proportion of the UK’s clean energy mix.

“There is widespread public support for onshore wind but it should be appropriately sited in tune with local preferences and environmental considerations. We have listened carefully to what people told us at our consultation events and made several adjustments to our plans. For instance, the number of turbines has been reduced and we have reduced the proposed height of the turbines in response to feedback from the community.”

RWE Innogy UK offers community investment packages and Kirkby Moor Replant is expected to deliver a windfall of between £1.2 million and £1.8 million to the community across the lifetime of the wind farm, subject to the final installed capacity of the project.

South Lakeland District Council has registered the application, and will now undertake a formal consultation on the proposal. The application is available to view on the council’s website: www.southlakeland.gov.uk (application number: SL/2014/1220)

Chris added: “Whilst we would welcome members of the public contacting us directly they will also be able to provide any comments they have on the application directly to the Council.”

RWE Innogy UK will continue to keep local people updated throughout the planning process. For further information about the Kirkby Moor Repowering Wind Farm please go to: www.rweinnogy.com/kirkbymoorreplant or email: kirkbymoor@rwe.com.