Wind turbine to power Blackpool illuminations » Environment » 24dash.com

A wind turbine is set to be installed on Blackpool's historic promenade to help power the resort's famous illuminations.

The first of the town's two new wind-powered generators will be erected near to Sandcastle Water Park on Tuesday morning.

The towering 19.5m turbine will arrive on several articulated lorries in the early hours, before workmen set about installing it and hooking it up.

Energy from the turbine will help the council tackle rising energy prices, as part of a pilot study to assess the effectiveness of wind power.

Each £147,000 turbine will eventually generate 15 kilowatts of power.

Council spokesman Julian Kearsley said: "Our initial experience of the two wind turbines at the Solaris Centre has been good and therefore the council has created this pilot to give us further evidence to consider a wider project.

"The pilot will also give local people a chance to comment on the designs and for us to consider the turbines as part of the new promenade we're creating."

He added: "Geographically, Blackpool is in a tremendous position to harness the power of the wind and turn it to our advantage.

"This pilot will enable us to confirm wind speeds, turbine output and the number of turbines required."

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