Shock cost of Huddersfield's Civic Centre turbines

Aug 10 2009 By Barry Gibson

WIND turbines installed on a Huddersfield council building have today been labelled "white elephants" as they cost far more to run than the cash they save.

The Civic Centre 3 wind turbines only generated enough energy to cover a third of their upkeep last year.

New figures show the two turbines brought £2,078 into Kirklees Council coffers in 2008 – but cost £6,431 to maintain and repair.

Golcar driving instructor John Thomas uncovered the figures using the Freedom of Information Act.

He said: "I’ve driven past them for years and I’ve suspected for a long time that they were a white elephant.

"I think these figures are very interesting as they show that the turbines are generating less than a third of their maintenance costs – even without considering capital costs."

Mr Thomas, 50, said councillors should consider removing the turbines. "It would cost money to bring them down," he said. "But we have to consider if there are any benefits to the taxpayer in keeping them up.

"I understand the need to reduce our impact on the environment, but I think there are better ways of doing it."

Mr Thomas added that he believed the turbines were mainly about public relations. He said: "The fact that they are stuck there on the Civic Centre is meant to give out some sort of statement."