Where once there was open-cast mining for energy of a different kind, the North Steads Wind Farm generates enough power to run 14,665 homes*.
Installed Capacity
18.45MW
No. of turbines
9
Turbine type
Senvion MM92
Hub height
80m
Blade length
45.2m
Expected P50 energy yield
48.5GWh
Annual house-hold power equivalent
14,665 homes*
The wind farm is located on land that was part of the East Chevington (Maidens Hall / Steadsburn) opencast coal mine, which ceased its operations in 1991. It was then restored to forestry and farmland in 2000 with work on the turbines beginning in August 2015.
Six of the nine turbines are located within the forested area, with the remaining three in arable fields to the south. The project is also a close neighbour to the four-turbine (8.2 MW) Sisters Wind Farm which is also owned by Ventient.
Acquired in 2015, North Steads’ 9 turbines are rated at just over 2MW, giving the site an installed capacity of 18.45MW with the ability to generate enough energy to power 14,665 homes*.
Benefiting local communities
North Stead Wind Farm’s community benefit fund shares its administration with nearby Sisters Wind Farm and is available to applications from the areas covered by: Thirston Parish Council; East Chevington Parish Council; Widdrington Village Parish Council; Widdrington Station and Stobswood Parish Council; Tritlington and West Chevington Parish Council; Ulgham Parish Council and; Ellington and Linton Parish Council.
Although the fund has only recently been established, its priority areas have been identified through consultation with local people. It aims to help in a diverse range of areas including: advice and support for families; arts, culture and heritage projects; community activities and events; development of local amenities; education and training provision; healthy living activities; environmental projects; sport and physical activity provision. Priority is given to applications from within a 5km radius of the North Steads and Sisters Wind Farms and is aimed at a wide variety of organisations and individuals including constituted voluntary and community groups and charities; start-up social enterprises; Parish Councils and other public bodies.
Any questions relating to this wind farm should be directed to: windfarms@ventientenergy.com
*Based on the Installed Capacity x Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) "all wind" load factor expressed as a fraction of 1^ x number of hours in a year (8,760 hours) / Average Annual Domestic Electricity Consumption (MWh)^^
^BEIS's long-term average load factor for "all wind" (31.84%) expressed as a fraction of 1 (0.3184). Source for capacity factors is Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics (DUKES) published annually by BEIS.
^^Annual GB Average Domestic Consumption Values from BEIS (3,509kWh).
