Windfarm to repower

A Cornwall wind farm is to treble its renewable energy output after planning permission was granted for repowering it.

The Goonhilly Downs Farm on the Lizard Peninsula will have its existing turbines replaced with more efficient technology better able to exploit the proven wind resource at the site.

Currently the farm generates 5.6MW of electricity and following the upgrade it is expected to have an output of 15MW, enough to power 7,000 homes, claims operating group Renewable Energy Generation.

The AIM-listed firm received approval for repowering the farm, despite it being in an area of natural beauty, when the government office of the south west decided there was no need for intervention by the secretary of state.

Andrew Whalley, chief executive officer of the AIM-listed 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."

In response to rising oil prices, REG recently renegotiated its rate per MWh with independent trader Smartest Energy.

In a deal which covers 21.3MW of wind power, it will receive, before Renewable Obligation Certificates are considered, £75 per MWh compared to £45MWh that was agreed in 2007.