We're going to have a windfarm and it's going to be great!

I hadn't quite realised how brilliant the windfarm planned off our coast was going to be! I went along to a presentation today by the company who have won the contract to construct it and was really pleased. The company is called Eneco. Greenpeace say they are the greenest energy company, there is a good start!



There are 9 sites all over the UK, all offshore and the total cost of the whole project is about 100 Billion.


That money will be spent in all sorts of ways but there is a definite benefit for our local economy. there will be a need for engineers at all stages, (there are already people out there surveying etc), then there will be people needed in the construction phase and in the long term jobs in maintainance of the turbines (a life cycle of 50 years).


A very positive outcome of this activity will be that young people will have a very real and inspirational project to attract them into engineering, with good jobs as a reward in a developing and very much growing sector.


Other people working on the construction will be in the area for the next few years (construction is expected to be finished in 2018) This will mean that local hotels and holiday lets will benefit.


The experience of other areas had found that wind farms increase tourism - people like to go to see the turbines on boats and the turbines also help with sealife (living on the turbines under the sea level) and fishing.


Two local ports will need to be refurbished ready for all of this work and the company will be looking from Plymouth to Porstmouth for suitable sites, and local companies will be able to bid for their part of the action.


And that is all before we get to the main point...
The turbines will give enough clean energy for 60,000 homes!


To find out more and to put forward your ideas for a name of our windfarm (It is currently called zone 7 west of Isle of Wight)


http://www.enecowindoffshore.co.uk/