Overview

Wind energy has been at the core of North Energy's activities since we began, and we now offer an extensive range of services in this sector. Our activities are focussed on the following groups:

Wind farm developers

We work with wind farm developers to assist them in the location of suitable sites, and then guide them through the United Kingdom planning process, delivering photomontage images, environmental impact assessment, wind monitoring services, public consultation programmes, and full pre and post planning application support.

Wind turbines for industrial sites

We also work with industrial and commercial clients who are looking to install on-site wind energy, helping with the design and specification, as well as the stages leading up to planning application. A useful example of this service can be seen in our library section. If you are looking to develop your own wind turbine project, modest or ambitious, North Energy can become a valuable member of your team.

Public sector organisations

We have worked with many local authorities and many other public sector organisations over the years, helping them to create wind strategies, to examine opportunities for wind energy on their industrial estates, and to deliver technical, practical and economic feasibility studies for specific sites.

Rural and off-mains properties

North Energy has helped property developers, architect teams, and owners of large rural properties to examine on-site wind opportunities. Our feasibility studies will accurately assess the contribution that wind energy can make to current and future energy needs. We can also guide the project through the often complicated UK planning system.

Schools, colleges and the education sector

North Energy has delivered extensive work for schools, colleges and universities. The sites often offer excellent opportunities for wind energy development, as stand alone technologies, or in conjunction with others such as solar and biomass.

Landowners and farmers

If you as a landowner or farmer wish to consider the opportunities for wind energy development on your land, we can provide you witrh a completely unbiased and independent advisory service. We have developed a wide range of contacts over the years, with wind developers, and can save you considerable time by guiding you to the appropriate company for your needs. We can then work with you as much as necessary to guide your project towards completion.

Our wind energy activities and services can include any or all of the following:

• Site finding and landowner liaison
• Feasibility studies for all types of site, practical, economic and technical, as well as grid considerations
• Wind monitoring programmes. Including mast planning applications, installation, and data capture and analysis
• Planning support programmes, through all stages from pre planning to post planning decision support
• Environmental impact assessments. Including all elements deemed necessary by early consultation with planners. Including ecology, heritage and architecture, landscape, and consultation with appropriate bodies
• Photomontage services using industry standard software
• Public consultation programmes, including exhibitions, surverys, meetings, educational and community opportunities, and co-ordination between all parties

Our Wind Energy Services

Wind energy generates more media coverage than any other renewable technology. Wind turbines are an extremely emotive subject, especially in the UK. Of course they are not new; we all know that windmills have been around for centuries. Their modern day equivalents are accepted by most, and enjoyed by many, although a very vocal minority continue to force wind turbines onto the front pages of the UKs press.

North Energy has delivered a wide range of consultancy services for business and commercial clients seeking wind energy systems. We have also worked with major developers to find commercial wind sites, and local authorities to explore the potential for wind energy on the land and buildings - especially on school sites.

Our approach has always been to find sites acceptable to our client, and also the local residents and community groups, and to consult them at an early stage. For example we achieved planning approval for a site at Tow Law, County Durham without a single dissenting vote at Planning Committee. This windfarm is now fully operational.

We are working with a number of industrial and commercial clients who are looking to install an appropriate wind turbine on their site. We undertake initial feasibility studies, and then if the outcome is positive, we offer planning support, which includes environmental impact assessments, photomontage images, public consultation programmes, and completion of the eventual planning application.

We also work with local authorities, community groups, Local Agenda 21 groups and individuals.

North Energy's Dr Garry Jenkins was the driving force that developed the Gazelle, which is the UK's only 20kW wind turbine. This fills an important gap in the turbine market and is particularly suitable for small schools, small industrial sites, farm buildings, and large homes. The Gazelle project has now been passed over to the MKW Engineering group in Ryton, Tyneside.

Wind Power for Industrial Sites

Wind projects for industrial sites are among North Energy's key services. We have carried out work for a host of industrial clients, delivering feasibility studies (and pre-feasibility), and working with client teams to guide projects through the complex and evolving UK planning system.

Our feasibility studies are an excellent way of assessing project potential before any major capital expenditure is committed. In addition they can form a valuable part of any funding application you may be considering.

Wind monitoring programmes are usually required by all parties, and we can submit the relevant planning application for you, with its Design and Access Statement', and then arrange the purchase or rental of the mast and ancillary equipment. A photograph of this work can be seen below.

Our planning programme covers all the activities that are an essential part of every planning application. We have an excellent record of planning success, and we can give your project the best possible chance of success. More information on our planning work is available at our Planning Section of this website

Wind power for industry and agriculture

• Economic and technical feasibility studies for specific sites
• Assessments of appropriate size and type of turbine
• Advice on energy efficiency and energy management
• Design of wind energy schemes for on-site use
• Contacts with commercial wind power providers
• Full support through the planning application process - including preparation and submission of planning application
• Project management for installation of wind-monitoring equipment - including preparation and submission of planning application
• Work with local community

A 40m wind monitoring mast being erected on a North Energy industrial estate project.

Wind farm development

• Site finding and assessment
• Landowner negotiations
• Liaison with statutory bodies
• Planning and environmental impact assessment
• Planning and installation of wind-measuring equipment
• Work with local community

Wind power strategies

• Resource assessments
• Site identification
• Community liaison and planning issues
• Strategy formulation

Corporate renewable energy policy

• Identifying wind power and other renewable energy opportunities for local authorities and other large bodies
• Site assessments and feasibility studies
• Technical support

Exploring wind farm development for landowners

• Site assessment
• Feasibility studies
• Contact with developer or provider
• Support during planning process

Recent and Ongoing Work

Windfarm site identification

Site finding and assessment, landowner negotiations, planning liason in Northumberland and County Durham.

Planning support work for wind farm developers

Full planning project support for major wind farms, including delivery of all aspects of the planning application; photomontage images using industry standard software; community consultation programmes; and wind monitoring services.

Industrial wind turbine site assessments

Feasibility studies for use of windpower for on-site electricity generation.

Wind turbine assessments for local authorities

Assessment of a range of industrial and school sites.

Strategy for wind energy in County Durham

Resource assessment and strategy formulation for use of renewable energy throughout Durham County Council's operations.

Expert panel member, wind energy

Reviewing wind energy proposals for funding under the European Commission's Thermie and Fifth Framework ENERGIE programme.

Wind power as infrastructure for sustainable organisations

Identification of twenty locations for wind turbines in industrial areas in the North East.

Our Team on Wind Power

Dr Garry Jenkins

Renewables engineer: technical issues; site assessment; wind turbine design

Bill Lowther

Project manager: photomontage images; feasibility studies; liaison with landowners, developers, community activities; co-ordination of wind monitoring programmes and planning applications

Doug Mitchley

Electrical engineer: feasibility studies; electrical engineering

Chris Parks

Engineering services: feasibility studies; electrical and mechanical engineering

Adrian Smith

Project manager: industry expert on planning issues for wind energy; landowner and community liaison

Nicola Smith

Project manager: planning expert; environmental impact assessment

Barbara Hooper

Environmental planning consultant: our expert on ecological aspects of environmental impact assessment

Dr Garry Jenkins is North Energy's key contact for wind energy.

Contact him at: enquiries@northenergy.co.uk or telephone 01661 843545.

North Energy is a member of RenewableUK.