BBC Look East weather presenter Julie Reinger will set the sails turning of the first school money-making wind turbine in Norfolk on Tuesday 1 May.

The 12 m high turbine, which was inspired by the children at Eco-School, Ellingham Primary, will not only make the school self-sufficient in electricity but will, they hope, create a surplus which will be sold to the national grid.

The £24,000 turbine was fully funded thanks to a Clear Skies renewable energy grant, Powergen’s Greenplan Fund (Eon) and the Broads Authority’s Sustainable Development Fund.

The children on the school’s eco-committee, aged from 5 to 11 years old, will give eco-tours of the school to Julie Reinger, representatives from the funders, Segen (the turbine suppliers), parents, governors, school advisers and the local community.

The wind turbine is a dream come true for the pupils. They held a public meeting in October 2005 to gain the support of the village and parents, presenting and explaining the project themselves. They also invited Julie Reinger to perform the opening ceremony.

Jane Wells, the school’s Eco-Schools Coordinator, said: “The pupils want to be the greenest school in the country. They are our ambassadors for spreading the word about our responsibility for reducing carbon emissions. We are now hoping that the wind turbine will not only be eco-friendly but will make us money!”

Nigel Dark, the Broads Authority’s SDF administrator, said: ”This is the Sustainable Development Fund’s first significant renewable energy project. It is a really impressive self-sufficiency project which involves young people who are very enthusiastic and knowledgeable on the subject. This is a very green school, full of get up and go environmentally, dynamic and forward thinking.”
30/04/2007

broads authority

www.broads-authority.gov.uk