Wind turbines at Michelin, Dundee pass milestone
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Britain’s leading green energy company Ecotricity say their wind turbines at Michelin’s Dundee factory had a bumper 2013, producing enough green electricity to power over 1,500 homes or brew over 350 million cups of tea.
The turbines have now passed a significant energy milestone,having generated over 50 million units (kWh) of electricity since being installed in 2006.
The two turbines generated over 7 million units (kWh) of electricity last year, up 13% on 2012’s total – the second best year the turbines have had since being installed nearly eight years ago.
UK wind energy generation as a whole broke several generation records in 2013: wind power produced over 6.1 GW of energy at peak in one day in December (the highest wind has produced in one day in the UK) and contributed 22.4% of total UK electricity generation in November of last year.
John Reid, Factory Manager at Michelin Dundee, said: “The wind turbines have been a great asset to our Dundee site, where they have helped to alleviate the challenge of increased energy costs and allowed us to reduce our dependence on the energy grid by producing our own sustainable power.
“The environment is an important priority for Michelin and we are always looking at ways we can improve our energy performance. Last year our wind turbines generated a 13 per cent increase in electricity when compared with 2012, and provided around 25 per cent of the electricity required to power the factory. We pride ourselves on our energy efficient credentials and the wind turbines show our commitment to the wider green agenda and our core value of respect for the environment.”
In total, wind turbines at Michelin’s Dundee factory produced enough electricity in 2013 to:
Power the equivalent of over 1,500 average homes
Drive a Nissan LEAF electric car around the equator over 1,000 times
Brew 352,062,678 cups of tea
Power an energy saving light bulb for over 73,000 years
Keep an iPad going for 586,771 years
Nick Osbourne, Ecotricity spokesperson, said: “Last year was a record breaking year for UK wind energy, and the significant 13% increase in electricity generation from the Michelin turbines in Dundee reflects just how productive 2013 was for wind power.
“Merchant wind turbines like the one at Michelin play a big part in greening up UK industry, while simultaneously slashing businesses’ energy bills. Passing the 50 million units milestone is testament to how successful these turbines have been over the last eight years.”
Vital Statistics of Ecotricity’s wind turbines at Michelin, Dundee:
Site address: Michelin Tyre PLC, Baldovie Road, Dundee
Running Since: May 2006
Number of turbines: 2
Rotor diameter: 71m
Hub height: 85m
Capacity: 4 MW
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