SO Kirklees has finally admitted that the two turbines on top of one its landmark buildings were wrongly sited.
One broke down three years ago and the council has been unable to get the parts to fix it. The other has run OK, but the amount of money it has saved the council is negligible to its initial outlay.
Both turbines on Civic Centre were, quite literally, high profile so their failure has been high profile too.
They cost just over £100,000 to buy and install, but in 2008 alone cost £6,431 to maintain and repair while bringing in just over £2,000 in savings.
Now the council is to get two more free of charge and they will be sited in a windier location.
Kirklees Council was trying to do the right thing by putting wind turbines very much in the public vision and consciousness, but the turbines’ failure will lead many to think they are not a viable green alternative to more traditional forms of energy.
Their failure has probably done more harm than good so it’s vital the council keeps the public up-to-date with any benefits they reap from the turbines they will soon receive and put up in a windy spot.
