Energy produced by a controversial Colne Valley wind farm should be used to directly power local homes if the application’s bid is successful, the area’s energy provider has said.

Northern Power Grid told community group Valley Wind Co-op, who want to construct three 99.5m structures by Cupwith Reservoir on Slaithwaite Moor that energy would ‘likely’ supply residential properties from Marsden to Milnsbridge.

They said that the clean electricity produced by the turbines would not usually be substantial enough to fulfil all the energy need in the area, so would only be reversed into the wider National Grid when demand was low in the area, typically at night.

It also said that a new substation would be installed at or near the site.

The application to construct the turbines, which is currently being decided upon by Kirklees Council, has split Slaithwaite residents since it was submitted last November.

Whilst members of the co-op and its supporters want to use the turbines to reduce carbon emissions and use some of the profits to fund community projects, others, who have formed Slaithwaite Moor Opposes Giant Industrial Turbines, believe that they will damage the area’s landscape and wildlife.

Chair of the co-op, Steve Slator, said that it was a big boost to the group, who initially believed that all the power would go straight into the National Grid.

He said: “This information means that Colne Valley residents would be using and benefiting from locally produced electricity, allowing our community to become that bit more self sufficient.

“It wouldn’t mean free electricity but it would mean that we have a greater knowledge of where our energy is coming from and can become less reliant on overseas imports.

“I think knowing that electricity used to provide power to your appliances was produced only up the road would give residents a really good feeling.

“We have an abundance of wind in our area and think that we should harvest it to improve energy security, act on climate change and benefit the local economy.”

Click here to take you back to more Huddersfield news.

Want to read, watch and hear more? You can download the FREE Examiner Apple App here, the FREE Examiner Android App here or you can view the paper as an e-edition on your Apple, Android or Kindle device by clicking here

To follow us on Twitter click here