With a generating capacity of over 50MW, the proposal is considered to be an “infrastructure of national importance”, with such planning applications determined by central government.

Ecotricity founder Dale Vince said: “Heckington Fen is a superb location for a wind park, probably the best we’ve ever seen.

“Heck Fen will make a significant contribution to Britain’s energy supply, powering the equivalent of almost 40,000 homes for the next 25 years and will reduce our dependence on imported fossil fuels, which are the primary source of the Britain’s carbon emissions.

Heckington Fen Wind Park will generate up to 66MW of clean energy from the local wind resource, saving almost 60,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide entering the atmosphere each year.

Meanwhile, Ecotricity announced that it is carrying out final tests on a micro wind turbine, known as the Urbine, which it claims could be 40% more efficient than similar sized turbines on the market.

The vertical-axis windmill will undergo six months testing in Stroud, Gloucestershire next to Ecotricity’s existing large wind turbine, before undergoing official performance certification at Myres Hill wind turbine test site in Scotland.

Leigh Stringer

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