Bernard Matthews Farms plans to build nine wind turbines

Turkey producer Bernard Matthews Farms has put forward a £20m plan to build nine wind turbines to power its turkey production plants with green energy.

A report in the Watton and Swaffham Times says the firm hopes to build five turbines at its facility at Holton in Suffolk, two close to an existing windfarm at North Pickenham in mid-Norfolk and two near to its plants at Great Winchingham, Norfolk.

If built, the nine turbines would generate about one-quarter of the electricity used by the firm’s operations each year.

The company’s interest in wind power first came to light in January 2007 when it sought planning permission to erect test masts at the sites.

A spokesman said the company had carried out a review of its land holdings 18 months ago and had considered a number of green energy projects. “It’s all part of the business moving and looking forward.

“Sustainability has to be central to our business strategy, so it makes absolute sense to do this. It’s been looked at for quite a long time, but it takes time for things to come to fruition.

The £20m construction and installation cost will be met by a joint venture between Matthews and Climate Change Capital, a firm specialising in windfarm finance and construction.

The company believes the first of its East Anglia turbines could be generating power by the summer of 2010 if planning consent is granted later this year.