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Community
Powerdown News
New
wind turbine
Test
Run
This
was carried out on Gigha on Friday 2 nd July 2010 and aimed to prove
that all the components of an Enercon E-33 could be delivered to
the site (including the blades which are the longest part of the
wind turbine: 16.4m long). The Test Run was successful and the contractor
who completed it did not have any problems turning left at the shop.
The lorry, which was almost 20m long, reversed from the ferry car
park on Gigha to the shop, turned right and then went forward to
the site.
This
is great news as it means that the wind turbine can effectively
be delivered to Gigha!
Update
as of October 2011
Soil Investigation
After the successful test run, the only remaining piece of work
was a thorough soil investigation to make sure we have the right
foundations for a slightly larger turbine in the selected location.
This was concluded by Greencat renewables in February 2011. The
report, which was positive, was passed on to Enercon who have confirmed
there are no development barriers to the installation of an E-33
turbine.
Planning Application
After some delay, we finally received our planning permission for
a brand new E-33 turbine from Argyll and Bute Council. With the
grid connection for up to 225 kW already secured, all we now need
to do is put finance in place. While our Project Officer, Remi Wassermann,
has now left (due to Climate Challenge Fund support ending) this
is a substantial achievement down to his hard work and diligence
and we are all grateful to him.
Cost
The most up to date cost estimate for the purchase and installation
of an Enercon E-33 is approximately £1,025,000.00 +VAT. This
includes the wind turbine, foundation, delivery, erection, commissioning,
testing, access track, hardstanding, grid compliance equipment,
complete substation, soil investigations, legal fees, grid connection,
and excavation works for the required underground cable. In addition,
we have included costs for the setting up of finance (i.e. arrangement
fee, due diligence, etc.), as well as a contingency, which is crucial
for a project this size.
This figure is subject to variation depending on quotes yet to be
received and the foreign exchange rate between £ and €
(the wind turbine will be bought in €). While the exchange
rate is currently favourable, there is no guarantee that this will
be the case when we put in the order for the turbine.
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