CleanEarth have secured planning consent for a 4.1 MW wind turbine, with a tip height of 135m – to be erected within the Clay Area, in Cornwall – a landscape characterised by the effects of china clay extraction.

The success of this project is due to years of focused effort – in overcoming aviation concerns, grid capacity limitations and planning restrictions exacerbated by changes to planning rules introduced by the Conservative Government in 2015.

The fact that the project was approved without a single objection – either from members of the public or planning consultees – is reflective of the effectiveness of CleanEarth’s work, but equally of a much more pronounced level of environmental awareness and support throughout.

Dean Robson, CleanEarth’s Managing Director, puts this into context: “We have made every effort to communicate, and to be clear, in considering potential locations – with an acknowledged objective of restricting these projects to suitable areas. The Clay Area is potentially the most suitable area for renewable energy within England – especially if due care is taken in determining suitable locations. In this regard, we have engaged throughout with St Mewan parish council and others – and we have been thoroughly supported in the aim of generating extremely efficient, environmentally positive, low carbon electricity. It’s a tremendous result, for the locality, for Cornwall and for the environment”.

Increased efficiency and output

The proposed turbine is expected to generate in excess of 12 GWh annually – enough to power the equivalent of over 2,000 Cornish homes*, saving in excess of 3,000 tonnes of carbon annually. This is expected to be one of the most efficient, productive wind turbines in the South of England.

Clay Area Potential

This will be the fifth CleanEarth turbine within the 4,000-hectare industrial landscape, china clay area north of St Austell. CleanEarth continue to investigate additional potential for meaningful renewable energy generation within the vicinity.

*Source BEIS: Sub-national electricity consumption statistics 2018 (updated 19 December 2019)