Third turbine to support Dagenham plant expansion
18-APR-2008
Ford Motor Co is to add a third wind turbine at its Dagenham manufacturing plant near London to power the expansion of its diesel engine production.
This extra turbine from Ecotricity will enable Ford's Dagenham Diesel Centre to remain 100% wind powered following the installation of a new engine line that is expected to produce close to 600,000 units next year.
A spokesman for Ford explains that while the site has an excellent wind resource, the machines are anticipated not to operate for at least two days in any year when power is supplied by the grid. However, over capacity during other times is exported to the grid, making the company a net 100% renewable operation.
Subject to planning approval, the existing two Ecotricity-supplied 1.8 MW Enercon E-70 wind turbines at Ford Dagenham will be joined by third Enercon machine also with a 1.8 MW capacity.
Dale Vince OBE, Ecotricity managing director, said: 'When household names like Ford use wind energy for everyday operations, it's a powerful endorsement of wind energy's credibility.'
Built under Ecotricity's Merchant Wind Power scheme (MWP), the new machine is expected to become operation by the first quarter of 2009.
Elsewhere in Essex, Ford's Dunton technical centre has also signed up for green energy. The product development HQ will cut the CO2 it produces by 65% by moving to electricity from renewable sources.
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