The wind farm has been in operation since June 1993 and was completed with financial assistance from the European Union under its Thermie programme, which aimed to support the development of 'green' technologies.

The wind farm is owned by Yorkshire Windpower Limited, a 50/50 joint venture between E.ON UK Renewables and Energy Power Resources Limited (EPRL). Situated 440m above sea level, the turbines are set out in two lines forming a 'V' shape, to make best use of the prevailing south westerly wind.

Ovenden Moor Wind Farm generates enough electricity to meet the average domestic needs of over 5000 households, displacing 10396 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually. On top of that, it also saves 91 tonnes of sulphur dioxide and 30 tonnes of oxides of nitrogen emissions annually.

Community Benefits

It's not just the environment that has benefited from the presence of Ovenden Moor in West Yorkshire. In April 2003, more than 400 youngsters from six local schools visited the wind farm as part of an environment project. They were able to get inside the wind turbines and the renewables team were on hand to talk to them about the wind farm and its role in UK energy production.

We have sponsored an art competition in conjunction with The Thornton Art Trail that centred on the wind farm at Ovenden Moor. All artwork was based on the wind farm or on the theme of wind power. We received a fantastic number of entries for the competition and the artwork was exhibited around the village of Thornton for visitors to see.

In July 2006 we held a communtiy open day at Ovenden Moor. Over 300 local residents and school children visited the site and got to see the turbines up close and find out how they work as well as enjoying having fun on the bouncy castle and taking part in wind wheel workshops.