News

There's a breath of fresh air coming from Dover District Council (DDC) as it cuts its carbon footprint and begins using renewable energy generated on site.

Dover is one of the first local authorities in the country to have its own stand-alone wind turbine on its premises.

The 17 metre wind turbine has been installed at DDC offices in Whitfield and it is estimated the turbine, which is now helping to power the offices, could save more than £4,000 on annual energy bills.

In the first two weeks, the turbine has saved around 0.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere, helping work to reduce adverse climate change.

DDC’s Energy Efficiency Officer Shaun Cline worked with the Kent Energy Centre to secure green funds to support the installation, including £30,000 from the Energy Saving Trust from the Government’s Low Carbon Building Programme. The project has also been partly funded by EDF Energy, which has granted £30,000 towards the scheme from its Green Fund, and the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) has provided a further £27,000.

The turbine is contributing to the Council’s electricity requirements, and is linked to the national grid to export electricity at times of low demand.

Cllr Nicholas Kenton, DDC Cabinet Member for the Environment said: “We are delighted with the success of this important project. Our thanks go to those who are providing grant funding, and we are proud to lead the way and work with partners to protect the environment, save resources, and cut our carbon footprint for the future.”