22nd November 2007

Just weeks after UK Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks approved Devon's largest wind farm at Fullabrook Down in north Devon, Coronation Power has today submitted a planning application for its wind farm scheme at Bickham Moor near Rackenford. The application for the Bickham Moor wind farm will be considered by Mid-Devon District Council. Building the wind farm will help deliver the council's renewable energy targets by generating clean, sustainable electricity to tackle the harmful effects of climate change. Devon's renewable target is to generate 151MW of renewable electricity by 2010. Excluding operational and consented wind projects, there is currently a shortfall of 57.5MW.

After extensive studies, the Bickham Moor site was selected because it lies in a remote, sparsely populated region, has a high wind speed, is in close proximity to a National Grid connection, has good site access, and is not an area of conservation or nationally designated protected area.

The wind farm will be built on land owned by a local farmer who is in full support of the project. The four turbine scheme will generate up to 12MW of electricity, the equivalent of the annual energy needs of 6,300 homes or 20% of Mid-Devon's population, which is a considerable contribution to Devon's target and will further reduce the shortfall. The planning application for the wind farm has been submitted following a rigorous two year assessment of the environmental impact of the proposal, detailed technical studies and consultation with people living and working in the surrounding area. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has covered a range of topics including landscape, ecology, hydrology, noise, ornithology, archaeology and the effects of the wind farm's construction on the local area. The public consultation programme for the site included a two day exhibition held in Rackenford, virtual interactive displays of the wind farm, leaflets distributed to local residents, press advertisements, and online questions and answers.

The local planning committee, tasked with reviewing the application, will begin later this year to rule on the importance of renewables and how they will meet government goals. Subject to planning consent, the installation and operation of the wind farm is scheduled to be completed by 2011.

Danielle Milne, Coronation Power's PR Officer says, "We are extremely pleased to be submitting such a well-conceived proposal. The scheme not only has massive benefits for the local community, but also contributes to meeting local, national and international renewables targets."

The non-technical summary of the EIA is available online at www.coronationpower.com/dev_bickham.html along with short virtual 3D tours of the wind farm from different viewpoints.