Swinford wind project

In 2009, Swinford wind project was consented by the Secretary of State. It is an 11 turbine project, located close to the Catthorpe Interchange in Leicestershire. The project is currently in construction, and is expected to be operational by Autumn 2012.

With more than 140,000 vehicles passing through the Catthorpe Interchange every day, Swinford Wind Farm will become one of the most viewed wind farms in the country.

Key facts

• Location: Leicestershire, see map (new window )
• No of turbines: 11
• Turbine details: 2 MW (megawatt) turbines, 125 metres to the tip of the blades
• Expected annual electricity generation:
  Equivalent to the annual domestic demand of around 12,300 homes (assuming a capacity factor of 30%, annual average UK consumption per household of 4700 kWh. Renewable UK)
• Installed capacity of the project: 22 MW (megawatts)
• Current status: Construction is underway. Please, visit the Swindford blog for the latest updates:
  Swinford Wind Energy Project Blog (new window)

Project Status

Construction started onsite in November 2011. In the first two months of construction, the value of the contracts placed with local companies reached the £250,000 milestone. All civil engineering works on site will be completed by UK companies.

Work is on schedule and turbines are currently expected to arrive onsite in May 2012. As well the provision of lower carbon renewable energy from the site, other benefits will be offered to the local environment through the project, through the improvement and creation of new habitats for local wildlife, notably great crested newts.

Working with the local community

Vattenfall is committed to providing a community benefit fund to the communities hosting the wind farm. It is currently worth £44,000 annually, and will be provided for the 25 year life of the project.

An information day was attended by over 120 residents and, to date, more than 200 local residents have offered their ideas for the fund. To find out more, click here:
Swinford Wind Energy Project Blog (new window) 

Working with young people

Getting young people involved with the project is an important part of our work in the area. We want to ensure that young people understand the project and have the opportunity to have their say.

Working with the Rural Youth Voice Partnership in the area, Vattenfall embarked on a tour of local schools and villages in the “Chill Out Bus”. More than 200 young people from the area came to meet us and discuss their ideas for the community fund. More work is planned during 2012, including sessions in local schools and some visits to site later in the year.

Visit the Swinford Blog for the very latest news from site:
www.swinfordwindfarm.com (new window)