Established in 2009 by RWE Innogy, Little Cheyne Court Wind Farm exemplifies the significant investments made by prominent renewable energy corporations in the UK, motivated by advantageous subsidy schemes over the last decade. The wind farm project, valued at £60m, offers a capacity of 59.8MW in the South East of England, demonstrating the potential of wind energy as a viable and sustainable alternative to conventional fossil fuel-based sources.
In addition to the regular site maintenance investments, the wind farm is set to contribute £1.2m to the local community throughout the duration of the project. This contribution is managed by the Little Cheyne Court Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund, a precondition of the site’s development. Moreover, large-scale investments have been initiated by local communities to establish their own wind farms, as described in our “Community Funded Wind” story.
The interior of the Nordex turbines at Little Cheyne Court reveals the impressive scale of these machines. Among the intricate electrical transmission and control equipment, a ladder leads up to the generator and gearbox, situated in the nacelle at the top of the turbine.
Little Cheyne Court Wind Farm not only reshapes the energy landscape but also contributes to environmental preservation. Strategically positioned amidst the flat, open lands of Kent, adjacent to the high-voltage power lines from the Dungeness Nuclear Power Station, the wind turbines are an imposing presence in the skyline. However, their significance extends beyond energy production.
The base of these turbines serves as a restoration site for native flora and fauna, in particular, the short-haired bumble bee. Wildflowers and habitats suitable for this bee species have been cultivated across the site as part of an enduring commitment to biodiversity conservation. This commitment underlines the role renewable energy projects can play in ecological preservation, reaffirming the broader benefits of transitioning to clean energy sources.
