Ian Fowler & Co, a farming company in North Lincolnshire, appointed Carter Jonas to determine the potential for a wind turbine development on their farm land near Scunthorpe as a farm diversification scheme. We were initially asked to complete a feasibility study which looked at potential environmental, technical and planning constraints and risks, as well as consideration of different turbine scales and technology options, likely energy yield and return on investment.

Carter Jonas then prepared and submitted a planning application for a wind turbine on behalf of Ian Fowler & Co, which included the completion of the various detailed assessments and studies in support of the application to ensure a successful result. Planning was initially applied for an Enercon E-33 330kW wind turbine, which was granted permission by delegated decision with the Planning Officer. Once planning permission was obtained, in light of market changes, we subsequently secured an amendment to the permission to enable the development of a larger scale EWT DW54 500kW wind turbine which had since become available in the market on the land, in order to maximise the sites development potential and return on investment.

Working alongside the client, Carter Jonas then assisted with the delivery of the wind turbine development through to completion, securing the grid connection and Ofgem accreditation for the scheme, addressing planning conditions, advising on and assisting with the appointment of surveyors and contractors, negotiating the wind turbine supply agreement and operation & maintenance agreement terms, and arranging power purchase and metering agreements, along with the provision of professional advice and support on development matters throughout the entire process.

Following the delivery of a successful project Carter Jonas then secured planning permission for a second EWT DW54 500kW wind turbine on the site. This presented additional challenges to the first wind turbine application, with cumulative impact concerns, local objection and radar mitigation being key areas to address in planning. The development of a second wind turbine in close proximity to another also required careful consideration of the scheme layout and grid connection arrangement to achieve a deliverable project. Collectively the wind turbines required a circa £2 million investment and benefit from the Feed-In Tariff and a secured export tariff payable for any electricity generated and exported to the grid.