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Wind farm to treble renewable energy output

Renewable energy output from a wind farm in Cornwall is set to treble after planning permission was granted to the operating company.

The Goonhilly Downs Farm on the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall, operated by Renewable Energy Generation (REG) subsidiary Cornwall Light and Power, will boost its energy generation from 5.6MW to 15MW.

It received the planning approval after the government office south west decided that despite being on a site of outstanding natural beauty the secretary of state did not need to be involved.

Now the existing turbines are to be replaced with newer equipment which will more efficiently exploit the proven wind resource.

The company claims that the new turbines will allow the site to supply energy to over 7,000 homes.

Andrew Whalley, chief executive officer of REG, said: "The capacity increase will not only contribute significantly to Cornwall's overall renewables targets, but further endorses our credentials as a developer of even the most challenging UK wind projects."

Aim-listed REG recently renegotiated its purchase price agreement with independent trader Smartest Energy.

Following oil price rises its price per MWh has risen from £45, which was agreed in 2007, to £75, before taking into account its Renewable Obligation Certificates, which it claims will take its total revenue to £135 per MWh from March 2009.