Michelin Invest in Dundee

Michelin has invested in a wind turbine electricity system at its Dundee facility. Two giant turbines, each 400 ft high will be operational as of next February and will provide around a third of the factory’s annual power demands.

In a company statement the manufacturer announced that contracts are being finalised with the developer, Ecotricity, and installation will begin within the next few months. The new turbines will generate 8 million kwh of power.

“The cost benefits are significant to the site, but we have always maintained a degree of confidentiality about the absolute figures,” said the company.

“The environmental benefits result from less fossil fuel being burnt in power-stations elsewhere to supply the factory. The MWh generated by the turbines will reduce power station emissions by over 6800 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.

“The benefits to the factory are not only purely financial in terms of direct cost reduction, but will also help to promote the Dundee factory within the Michelin Group as an innovative and progressive site.

“The willingness of the HQ team to fund this development and enter into long-term contracts displays a confidence in the factory which is important to the entire workforce.”

General manager of the Baldovie plant, Trevor Haines said the application to install the turbines represented a key part of a plan to improve costs by substantially reducing the company’s electricity bill. It would also reduce Michelin’s dependency on fossil fuels.

Last spring Michelin embarked on a £4 million investment programme at Baldovie – now the company’s only car tyre manufacturing site in the UK – aimed at increasing daily output by 2007.