Pirelli to Errect Turbine Mast

Pirelli’s plans to construct a 393-foot tall wind turbine at its factory in Carlisle, have moved a step further. “If the wind speeds match data collected over the years at Carlisle Airport, then we can put forward a final working proposal to Milan,” a Pirelli spokesman said. The first phase is to erect a 45-metre tall mast to measure wind speeds and directions on 8 June. The factory has set a target of having the turbine fully operational in the second half of 2007.

The £2 million turbine would generate 20 per cent of the tyre plant’s energy and create savings of £700,000 a year. The turbine is being built in response to steep energy cost increases, which have rocketed from £2.5 million two years ago to £5 million today.