CONSTRUCTION
November 2009 - Commencement of Construction
The first part of the work involves preparing the site entrance, the access tracks and turbine foundations.
CONSTRUCTION NEWS - show/hide |
15 July 2010
Construction Update
It's a very busy but exciting time, as the wind farm is ready to start generating electricity within the next week.
The start-up phase of the wind farm is done gradually. At the moment, the brakes are restricting the blades from turning, and each turbine will be individually tested to ensure it is in perfect working order before moving on to the next one. As soon as the blades are turning, they are starting to feed electricity into the grid.
02 June 2010
Construction Update
All 7 turbines have now been installed - the final blade lift took place last Friday, and the large crane has since been removed from site. We are pleased with the smooth progress of the construction to date and would like to sincerely thank all local residents for their patience during the component delivery phase.
Although it may look like the wind farm is ready to start generating electricity, there is still work to be done. This includes completing the installation of the cable connecting the turbines to the grid, and some pre-operational testing. We expect they will be fully functioning and exporting electricity within the next two months.
08 May 2010
Construction Update
We reached an exciting milestone this week, with the first wind turbine being erected. This is done using one of the largest and most modern hydraulic cranes available, to lift each piece of the turbine into position. It is capable of a reach of over 100 metres.
Turbine components started arriving on Tuesday and the towers arrived on site on Wednesday afternoon. Despite their size, all components were safely transported along public roads with only minor modifications required. On Thursday, with careful management, the construction team put together the sections of the tower, and attached the nacelle. Yesterday the blades were attached, and preparations to put up the second turbine will start next week.
19 April 2010
Construction Update
Works remain on schedule, there are currently between 10 and 20 people working on site. The concrete for the turbine foundations is being cast throughout April, and the small substation building is substantially complete, with electrical work continuing inside.
Everyone is prepared for delivery of the turbines at the end of April. This requires careful planning to ensure these long loads arrive on site without a hitch (the longest load is 44 metres).
25 March 2010
Construction Update
We are extremely pleased with the progress of construction works so far, and are on schedule. The tracks to access each turbine are mostly completed. The steelwork for the turbine foundations is currently being put in place, and concrete pouring started in early March. Brickwork has started on the substation building with the roof complete this week.
We have also started digging a small trench both on and off-site to install the underground export and telecommunications cables. This will allow electricity to be exported to the grid from the substation.
08 February 2010
Construction Update
The construction works are continuing to make good progress. The roads on site are progressing and are almost complete, but a final finish layer will be made at the end of construction. Four foundation holes have been excavated and two more have been started this week. One foundation hole is awaiting clearance from archaeologists. The foundations for the substation have been laid, but there is not much to see on site, so no photos this update.
15 January 2010
Construction Update
Several inches of snow has fallen on site but work has continued despite these challenging weather conditions. The access tracks are 60% complete and four turbine bases have now been excavated. The substation, where the electricity exported from the turbines is connected to the national grid, is 50% complete. A wheel wash has been installed at the site exit to keep the public roads as clean as possible. We are maintaining contact with local representatives to ensure traffic disruption is kept to a minimum. Go to the Photo Gallery for the latest construction photos.
09 December 2009
Construction Update
Good progress has been made on site since works started. The construction compound has been fully installed and almost half of the temporary access roads are now in place on site. The excavation of one of the turbine bases has begun and excavation of the substation foundation will start next week. For photos of the works so far, go to the Photo Gallery
01 December 2009
Resident Newsletter
A construction news update has been printed in a local magazine that is distributed to 20,000 homes in the locality of the wind farm site.
17 November 2009
Wind Farm First for Bucks
Construction begins on Buckinghamshire's first wind farm this week, with a scheduled completion date of September 2010. The main civil and electrical works contractor is Morrison Construction Ltd, and wind turbines will be supplied by Vestas. Engineering Renewables Ltd will be responsible for Project Management.
Richard Mardon, Managing Director of Your Energy Ltd said "We are pleased that despite the current economic climate, we have successfully financed the project. This is the only major project financing of a UK onshore wind farm this year - an important milestone for the wind industry."
GENERAL CONSTRUCTION INFORMATION - show/hide
Public Rights of Way
Although the bridleway and footpath are not directly affected by the turbines, these paths will be clearly signed to ensure pedestrians are aware of the ongoing works.
Roads
Minor work is required on some roads to render them suitable for receiving abnormal loads, such as turbine blades and tower units. These roads have been surveyed and the recommended modifications will be agreed with Milton Keynes Council. The roads will be re-surveyed upon completion of construction and, where necessary, remediated to the Council's satisfaction, free of pot holes, ruts, high spots, etc.
Traffic Route
The turbine components will be transported from Hull. The route is relatively straight forward, and will turn off at the M1 junction 14, onto the A509.
General construction traffic will be approaching from the south, turning onto the A509. A wheel wash is to be positioned at the exit from the site and a road sweeper has been employed to clean the approach road as necessary.
Traffic Management
Residents may notice an increase in HGV movement during the construction period. Wherever possible our contractors will plan HGV deliveries to minimise disruption at the busiest times of day. We will inform local radio stations to provide advance warning of transport movement that could cause particular disruption.
We are in contact with the Parish Councils to ensure we are informed of local events we may need to know about.
If there's a local event you think we need to know about, please contact us.
Habitat Management
A Biological Notification Site (BNS) Management Plan has been developed to detail how the Petsoe Manor Ponds and surrounding scrub and rank grassland will be managed and enhanced throughout the operational lifetime of the wind farm. The BNS Management Plan aims to preserve both the botanical diversity of the site and the current balance of vegetation structure by ensuring that natural succession does not turn the area into a homogenous scrub habitat. The main goals of the BNS Management Plan are to:
- Manage the grassland and semi-improved grassland areas as rough grassland
- Maintain the BNS scrub as scrub to provide cover and food sources for fauna
- Restore the BNS pond to a higher state of water quality
An Ecological Enhancement Plan (EEP) has also been developed in consultation with Milton Keynes Council to identify areas where new or existing habitats could be created or enhanced on the site. The main proposals are to:
- Establish a grass / wildflower strips alongside some of the new access tracks
- Replace some areas of hedgerow
- Establish a new woodland area
Post-Construction
Once wind farms are fully operational, people living nearby can sometimes experience interference with their analogue TV reception. However, when the Regional switchover to digital transmission is completed during 2010 this issue will no longer arise. TV interference issues that arise prior to completion of this switchover will be investigated and, should they be found to be as a direct result of the wind farm, will act swiftly to correct them.
Civil and Electrical Works
Morrison Construction (part of the Galliford Try group) have been awarded the Civil and Engineering Works contract, and we look forward to working with them throughout the construction period. The construction team offices are based in Hinckley, Leicestershire.
Wind Turbines
Vestas Celtic Wind Supply Ltd are an internationally recognised leader in wind turbine technology. The turbines being installed are 2MW Vestas V90's. The turbine towers and blades are produced in Denmark, and will be shipped from Hull, where they continue their journey by road. The Vestas website has full details and specifications of these turbines.