Harrogate Borough Council

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26 November 2007: Pannal Primary School in Pannal, Harrogate has become the first primary school in North Yorkshire to install a wind turbine in its grounds.

 

The school has always encouraged the children to value their environment both locally and globally and says it is a further statement of the school's commitment to promoting sustainability.  The installation of the wind turbine will allow the school to continue to enrich the educational environment beyond the bounds of the national curriculum.

 

Liz Elvidge, Headteacher, said:  "The children were thrilled to watch the turbine slowly being assembled and winched into place and even more excited to see the turbine blades spinning in the breeze."

 

The school should be provided with about 17,000 kilowatts of free electricity each year.  This energy will be used by the school and the excess electricity will be fed back into the national grid.

 

Pannal Primary School already audits its electricity consumption and will be able to directly compare costs before and after installation to accurately calculate electricity savings. 

 

Janet O'Connor, Vice Chair of the School's Governing Body, who has been leading on the project, added:  "The financial savings that we make by generating our own electricity and by selling excess back to the grid will be re-invested in the school to further benefit the children's education.  In addition, the reduction in the school's carbon emissions will have a direct impact on the environment."

 

Energy saving light fittings have already been installed around the school meaning that every unit of electricity generated by the turbine is used to its maximum effect. Energy agents in each class turn off the lights at the end of the school day.

 

Water hippos and push taps installed in the toilets have reduced water consumption by an amazing 40% and the school is also a keen recycler and composter.

 

The project was funded by grants and the school is hugely indebted to the following organisations: Scottish Power Green Energy Trust; Low Carbon Building Programme; Awards For All Lottery Grant.  They are also grateful to Lindsay Cook, Harrogate Borough Council's Environment Projects Officer whose help in completing the funding forms was invaluable.

 

The school also wishes to thank ARUP whose generous help with the geotechnical survey ensured firm foundations for the turbine.  In addition thanks to the school PTA who have funded a display panel, which will act as an invaluable learning tool for our children now and in the future. ENDS

 

FURTHER INFORMATION:  Liz Elvidge and Janet O'Connor are available at school on 01423 872407.