Windflow signs Heads of Agreement with North Fish (Shetland) Ltd for first Windflow turbine
23 September 2011
Windflow and North Fish (Shetland) Ltd (NFS) have signed a Heads of
Agreement to develop jointly the first site using a Windflow 500 turbine in the
UK.
The HoA is conditional on certain matters being confirmed within the next five
months, at which time a full set of project agreements is expected to be
executed. This first site is close to Lerwick on the main island of Shetland
and installation is planned for summer 2012.
NFS will use the wind-generated electricity to operate a plant to
produce carbon neutral biofuel. The process will convert virgin timber into
wood chip suitable for use in high efficiency biomass boilers. The biofuel will
be supplied to local customers for heating purposes. This innovative solution
means that Shetlanders will have access to carbon neutral biofuel at stable
prices. The biofuel process can productively use wind energy when it is
available, and the wind turbine does not need to be connected to the
electricity grid. A wide range of local consultation has been carried out in
recent months and a full planning application for the turbine and biofuel plant
will be submitted shortly for determination.
This joint development agreement has been designed to speed the delivery
of the project. Once the project has been successfully developed and
commissioned, it is expected that NFS will exercise its right under the HoA to
acquire Windflow’s interest in the installed turbine.
Bryan J Rendall (Electrical) Ltd will assist with the installation,
operation and maintenance of the turbine which is hoped to be the first of
several Windflow turbines on the windy Shetland Islands
(population 23,000). The firm has recently been appointed as an approved Dealer
for Windflow turbines and it is excellently poised to offer sales, installation
and service across the Highlands and Islands.
The firm’s experience in wind goes back to the earliest days of wind energy
development on the Orkney and Shetland Islands
in the 1980s. Bryan recently visited the
Windflow facilities in New
Zealand and the Te Rere Hau wind farm and
was impressed by the turbine’s electrical capabilities, ease of installation
and maintenance, and ability to handle the gale force winds which were blowing
that day.
The Windflow 500 has been designed and certified to IEC 61400-1 class
1A, i.e. the most windy and turbulent site classification and is well proven
with 98 turbines running at high availability in extremely demanding wind
conditions in New Zealand. At the Lerwick site with its 9.5 m/s annual mean
wind speed the turbine will have a higher annual energy production than any
other turbine of similar rotor size, giving a very attractive payback period.
Two other sites in the UK
have received planning permission for the Windflow turbine and two more are
expected to secure planning permission in the next month. Windflow also has an
option for a site on North Harris for up to three turbines with planning
permission.
For
further information:
Geoff Henderson,
Chief Executive Officer/Director
Ph 03 365 8960
www.windflow.co.nz