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 Center 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.
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.
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.
Built under Ecotricity’s Merchant Wind Power scheme (MWP), the new machine is expected to become operation by the first quarter of 2009. Subject to planning approval, the existing two Ecotricity-supplied 1.8-megawatt (MW) Enercon E-70 wind turbines at Ford Dagenham will be joined by third Enercon machine also with a 1.8-MW capacity.