PROJECT SIZE & LAYOUT

We have considered a number of different layouts for the wind farm during the evolution of the design. The layout for a 6-turbine wind farm at Tallentire Hill Farm has evolved from studies and input from experienced environmental, engineering and technical teams within RES. The layout has also taken into account what we have learnt from carrying out an environmental impact assessment on the site.

Each wind turbine will have a maximum output of 2MW with a maximum height of 100m to the tip of the blade.

The proposed layout of the wind farm is shown below:

Infrastructure

Grid connection: All the turbines will generate electricity which will be fed into the local grid via underground cables. The designed detailed route will be determined by the utility company although it is likely that the connection will be a tee connection to the 33kV Aspatria to Cockermouth circuit which passes within 1.5 to 2.5 km to the east of the turbine locations.
Tracks: A network of tracks will be built on site to provide access to each turbine. The tracks will be approximately 5m wide and have been designed, where possible, to run along the edge of field boundaries, in order to avoid disruption to farming activity and recognise environmental constraints, whilst minimising environmental disturbance and land take.
Road improvements: The majority of suitable onshore sites for wind farms are of a rural or semi-rural nature. Road networks to such sites will often require some degree of upgrading to accommodate construction and turbine delivery traffic. The site entrance options and the various on-site and off-site routes have been examined for suitability by an experienced engineer from RES. The most appropriate route to access the site has been identified as using the M6 to Penrith, the A66 to Cockermouth and the A595 to site. Vehicles can access the site directly from the unclassified road up to Millstone Moor. This route will ensure that turbine construction and delivery traffic will cause minimum disturbance to local residents and road users en route to site. Traffic management measures will be implemented prior to and during the construction phase in consultation with the relevant Highways Authorities and the police to minimise any disturbance and ensure the safety of other road users during construction. Increased traffic levels would be experienced intermittently during the 12 months of construction but these effects are temporary and any disturbance to local residents and other road users will be short term.
Foundations: The towers will stand on concrete foundations which will be up to 16-18m in diameter and 1.5-3.5m in depth. The foundation surface lies up to 1m below the normal ground surface and is back filled with soil.

Timescales

We hope to begin construction in 2012.