How Pounds 50,000 Wind Turbines Saved Schools Less Than Pounds 50

Sep 29 - Daily Mail; London (UK)

Wind turbines installed at five Scottish schools at a cost of Pounds 50,000 generated savings of less than Pounds 50 in the first year of their operation.

State-of-the-art windmills were erected on five primary school rooftops in Fife by the local authority as part of its renewable energy scheme.

However, the pilot project has been dogged by technical problems with one school saving only Pounds 1.51 on its power bills in the first 12 months.

Despite that, Fife Council insists it is committed to installing renewable energy devices at its buildings and says the wind turbine maker, Edinburgh-based Renewable Devices, has promised to supply the schools with upgraded versions next year.

Allan Mackay, of Fife Council's energy management team, said that three sites were operational, but two were offline because the directional fin had failed. He admitted that generation rate varied wildly, from 'very poor' to 'reasonable'.

The savings over the first 12 months totalled Pounds 49.49 only Pounds 1.51 at Collydean, Pounds 5.71 at Canmore, Pounds 7.85 at Auchtertool, Pounds 9.78 at New Gilston and Pounds 24.64 at Largoward.

Mr Mackay said that at Largoward, there was an 'excellent' wind flow and high potential for generation, but rotor troubles had led to the loss of an 'unknown amount' of energy.

energy management team leader, said technical issues had been reported to Renewable Devices.

He added: 'Since the installation, the manufacturer has modified the design of affected components and upgraded the turbines.

'This has meant that the turbines have been out of commission for prolonged periods.' Andrew Arbuckle, LibDem MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, described the pilot project as 'half-hearted'.

Mr Arbuckle, who also represents Newburgh on Fife Council, said: 'The initial figures show a very poor return for the investment, made in what seems to be a half- hearted pilot scheme.

'While the project should not just be discarded, there has to be better maintenance. We can't just stick windmills up and forget about them.' Mr Dewar added: ' Renewable Devices has confirmed it is committed to working with the council to ensure the wind turbines installed meet the design performance expectations.

'Where appropriate, we are committed to supporting the development and use of renewable energy technologies in Fife Council buildings.' Renewable Devices claimed that it had improved its turbines and that Fife Council would be supplied with