Ford Dagenham has completed the installation of its largest, most powerful wind turbine, adding to the two already on site. The 120m tall turbine is now helping to maintain 100% wind-powered engine production in the Ford Dagenham Diesel Centre (DDC), and will double the annual CO2 saving from 2,500 to nearly 5,000 tonnes per year.
Groundwork for the third wind turbine began in June and construction of the tower and blades took just four days to finish. The main assembly was completed when the 82m-diameter windmill blades and hub were hoisted 80m into the air.
Previously, the two existing turbines generated 5.92 million units of electricity per year – the equivalent of powering 1,794 homes. With the addition of the third turbine, the amount of electricity generated reaches 11.4 million units per year – enough to power twice the number of homes.
London’s first wind park was built at Dagenham in 2004 when Ford first collaborated with renewable energy specialist, Ecotricity.
“Together with Ford, Ecotricity pioneered the use of wind to power the Dagenham Diesel Centre,” said Dale Vince, founder of Ecotricity. “We are really pleased to come back and build a third windmill so that the green energy supply keeps pace with the customer demand for Ford’s most fuel-efficient diesel engines.”
Chris Woolacott, Ford Dagenham Diesel Centre Line Manager, added, “The Ford Dagenham Diesel Centre is once again 100% wind-powered. Ford’s plant, building its lowest-CO2 diesel engines, continues to be powered by renewable energy.”
UK vehicle manufacturers continually strive to be ever more efficient, cutting total combined energy use by more than 46% since 2000.
Recently, Toyota began installation of a large scale solar panel array at its vehicle plant in Derbyshire. When fully operational, it will be capable of supplying enough energy to build approximately 7,000 cars a year.
For detailed information on the environmental efficiency of UK automotive, download SMMT’s Eleventh Sustainability Report.
