10th July 2006

Castle Morpeth Borough Council has granted approval to Coronation Power for the temporary erection of an anemometer mast (met mast) on land at Todburn East Farm, near Longhorsley, Northumberland.

The met mast will test wind strength and direction and comprises a 60 metre aluminium tower, fixed to the ground by cables. Its installation will have limited impact on the land or land use. It will be installed for a period of approximately 18 months.

The met mast is an important part of Coronation Power's assessment of Todburn East as a possible location for a small wind farm comprising up to eight turbines with a potential output of approximately 24 MW. The site falls within an area of search designated for renewable energy development (RE3 Area) in the Castle Morpeth Local Plan 2003 and reflects guidance given in the North East Regional Assembly's Regional Spatial Strategy.

A comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) covering a range of issues such as landscape and visual impact, land use, ecology, nature conservation, air safeguarding, archaeology, hydrology, general safety, socio-economics, electro-magnetic interference and transport will be undertaken by Coronation Power before a decision is taken to submit a planning application for a wind farm at Todburn East.

If planning permission should subsequently be granted for the development of a wind farm, it will have the capacity to generate enough electricity to meet the domestic energy needs of approximately 13,400 homes, or approximately 39% of the combined domestic electricity consumption in Alnwick and Castle Morpeth*. It would also make a significant contribution to the North East Regional renewable energy target for Northumberland of 212 MW by 2010.

Mary Gallagher, Coronation Power's Public Relations Manager said, "We welcome the decision to approve our planning application for a met mast. It will provide us with valuable data on the site's viability as a location for a wind farm. Coronation Power values its relationships with local communities and we will consult with local people and other stakeholder groups to ensure that they are kept fully informed in relation to our proposals for a wind farm at Todburn East".

*Figures based on average annual household electricity consumption of 4.7 MWh as recommended by BWEA.

For further information please contact:
Coronation Power
Mary Gallagher (Public Relations Manager)
T: 020 7490 0669
E: mary@coronationpower.com

Notes to Editors
Coronation Power was established in 2004 to develop environmentally friendly, sustainable and economic energy technologies to meet the challenges of global warming. Its goal is to develop, own and operate wind farms that achieve a fair balance between sustainability, the environment and economic investment. Coronation Power cares deeply about the natural environment and each development takes into account the needs of people, animal's birds and natural habitats.

For further information about Coronation Power's proposal for Todburn East and information relating to its other wind farm developments in the UK, visit the Coronation Power website: www.coronationpower.com