Turbines to offer farmers windfall?

31 August 2001



Turbines to offer farmers windfall?

By FWi staff

WIND turbines could become a common sight following the launch of a new scheme to encourage farmers to site small groups of turbines on their land.

National Wind Power, a UK energy business, claims that its WindWorks initiative will provide farmers with a rental income and help the environment.

The scheme requires farmers to provide sites and act as local ambassadors to allay public concerns and difficulties with planning approvals.

New legislation obliges electricity generating companies to source 10% of their supplies from renewable sources by 2010.

The company claims the public will be less inclined to object to turbines if they are benefit struggling farmers who are part of the local community.

WindWorks development man- ager Matt Partridge indicated that groups of between one and three turbines could yield a rent of around 5000/year.