Burgar Hill on Orkney Mainland was deliberately chosen as a test site for wind turbines because it is one of the windiest onshore sites in Europe!
The earliest onshore wind turbines were tested here in the early 1980s in a variety of guises. One of the earliest was built with the lower part of the tower constructed of concrete - a design which didn't survive developments in the industry.
Today, Thrive Renewables operate a single wind turbine here, alongside a selection of other discrete projects, harnessing the amazing wind resource and exporting it to the national grid for distribution to wherever it is needed. The turbine we chose for this site was a Class I turbine which is specifically designed to maximise the potential from consistently high and turbulent winds. The name "Sigurd" is that of a legendary hero from the ancient Norse stories which are renowned on the islands.
| Turbines | Nordex N60 |
|---|---|
| Number of turbines | 1 |
| Maximum tip height | 76 metres |
| Site capacity | 1.3 MW |
| Operational since | 2002 |
| Annual forecast output | 5.1 GWh |
| UK homes equivalent | 1,292 |
Press Releases
Thrive Renewables and Bristol Energy have today unveiled an agreement for 3.55MW of renewable electricity, enough to power almost 3,000 homes, from two onshore wind farms in Suffolk and Aberdeenshire.
Posted: 23 Jul 2019
Events
Visit our Avonmouth wind farm as we open up the site to guests on Friday 13th and Saturday 14th September 2019 to celebrate Thrive’s 25th Birthday. Tickets are free, but you do need to book.
Posted: 19 Jul 2019
Blog
“The need for action has rarely been clearer. Our message to government is simple: Now, do it.” Committee on Climate Change.
Posted: 12 Jul 2019
There are a variety of methods to work out your own carbon footprint including a simple to use calculator at www.carboncalculator.co.uk
The number of shares you own is printed on your Thrive Renewables share certificate(s)
