First wind turbine installed at Ray wind farm in North East of England

Vattenfall, the Hexham based energy company, said that the first turbine at its Ray Wind Farm Project in the North East of England has been erected.

Paul Nickless, Vattenfall’s Construction Manager for the Ray Wind Farm Project, said: "I am delighted to see the first turbine installed. This is a major milestone in the construction of Ray Wind Farm and is a testament to the hard work of the construction team.

Along with the 45 highly skilled people working in our Hexham Office, Ray is providing employment for around 70 skilled and semi-skilled workers involved solely in the construction of the wind farm."

The Senvion 3.4M104 turbine at the Ray Wind Farm Project site is 125 metres tall. Another 15 wind turbines will be installed over the summer at the 54.4MW scheme on the Ray Estate, near Kirkwhelpington in Northumberland.

Preparatory works at the wind farm site started last summer. Once completed the Ray Wind Farm will, on average, generate enough power every year to meet the equivalent electricity demand of around 30,000 UK households.

Vattenfall, with partners Community Action Northumberland, is currently putting in place an annual community fund of over £250,000 a year for the lifetime of the wind farm.