Farm stables and stud owner Malcolm Bronte-Stewart has become the first Gaia-Wind turbine owner in the UK to generate more than 100kW of energy. Since installation on Middlepart Farm in Ayrshire in 2008 the Gaia-wind 113 11Kw turbine has delivered 107,000 kWh of green electricity, producing a return of thousands of pounds worth of grant payments, sales to the grid and very cheap rate energy.
The turbine produced daily average production of over 98kWh over its first 3 years of operation, while offsetting more than 60 tonnes of CO2. Under the current FIT regime this level of production would attract payments of some £10,000.00 per year in addition to savings and sales of more than £2.500.00.
Middlepart Farm is a busy working livery yard and stud with all the consequent electricity requirements for lighting and equipment such as a horse walker. The site also includes the main farm house and a self catering cottage with an electrical central heating system. About half of the electricity generated is used onsite resulting in a significant reduction in energy bills and the remainder is sold to the grid.
Mr Bronte-Stewart, who will be presented with an award at the Gaia-Wind stand at the Royal Highland Show in Ingliston, Edinburgh on Sunday 26 June 2011 by NFUS Vice President John Picken. said:
"We are very pleased with our turbine. Not only were production figures consistent with Gaia-Wind’s predictions but far exceeded the estimates of local energy consultants who are amazed by its overall production. Many visitors stop by to say how beautiful it looks and they are impressed that it is so quiet and that it is productive even in reasonably light winds."
"We installed the turbine before the introduction of FITs which would have attracted double the payments, but it has still been an excellent investment. About half of the electricity generated is used onsite resulting in a significant reduction in energy bills and the remainder is sold to the grid."
Gaia- Wind spokesperson Martin Paterson said:
"We are delighted that the first of our UK installations has performed so well. Mr. Bronte-Stewart wanted to reduce his energy bills by generating electricity from a renewable source. The Gaia-Wind turbine is optimised for performance in moderate wind speed regimes. In such conditions the large rotor allows the turbine to produce more energy than other similarly rated machines so it was a perfect match for his requirements.
