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The wind turbines that cost more to run than they save
WIND turbines installed by a Yorkshire council to one of their buildings to generate their own energy have cost more money than they save.
The three turbines have been called "white elephants" and only generated enough energy to cover a third of their upkeep last year.
New figures show that the wind turbines on the Civic Centre in Huddersfield, brought 2,078 into Kirklees Council coffers in 2008 ' but cost 6,431 to maintain and repair.
Local driving instructor John Thomas uncovered the figures using the Freedom of Information Act.
Mr Thomas, 50, 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.
"I understand the need to reduce our impact on the environment but I think there are better ways of doing it."
Head of Kirklees environment unit Philip Webber said this cost would come down drastically in the future as council workers became more skilled and experienced at maintaining the turbines.
He said: "Next year or the year after we will be looking at maintenance costs of a few hundred pounds. The turbines will pay for themselves."
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Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -2 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South
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Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North west
