Morecambe Bay wind farm helps generate enough electricity for 16,700 homes

Two wind farms in Heysham and South Lakeland generated more than 52,000MWh of power in 2019.
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Banks Renewables' Armistead scheme, which sits to the east of the M6 between junctions 36 and 37, and the Heysham South wind farm generated more than 52,000 MWh of power between them during 2019, and by doing so, displaced around 13,150 tonnes of carbon dioxide from the electricity supply network.

The family-owned firm is now planning to deploy further renewable energy technologies at sites across northern England with new projects which it hopes to be able to progress in the coming months.

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The six-turbine Armistead wind farm led the way by generating 30,000 MWh during 2019, while the three-turbine Heysham South scheme produced 22,200 MWh in the same 12 months.

Checks being made at the Armistead wind farm in South Cumbria.Checks being made at the Armistead wind farm in South Cumbria.
Checks being made at the Armistead wind farm in South Cumbria.

The two wind farms also generated around £24,000 between them for their respective community benefits funds during 2019.

The company said the funds provide financial support for capital projects being undertaken by groups and good causes in their respective communities.

Banks Renewables has a total of eight operational sites across northern England, with a further two in Scotland and plans for more to follow.

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Richard Dunkley, managing director at Banks Renewables, says: “Armistead and Heysham South have been performing well for many years and continue to not only generate substantial amounts of clean green electricity, but also tangible financial benefits for the communities in which they’re based.

A recent school visit to the wind farms.A recent school visit to the wind farms.
A recent school visit to the wind farms.

“We’re currently working on a number of innovative renewable energy projects, including solar energy and battery storage schemes, which will further increase our contribution towards the UK’s ‘net zero’ goals and look forward to working with local communities and authorities as we bring them forward.

“Using the widest possible range of renewable energy generation technologies will allow the UK to decarbonise its power supply and achieve its climate change targets more quickly, while also benefiting British consumers through lower energy prices, and we think there’s a lot more to be done to make this happen.”