A NEW 16-turbine wind farm is now fully operational at its site near Kirkwhelpington.

Ray Wind Farm, on the Ray Estate, was a £90m investment from Swedish energy company Vattenfall, and all 16 turbines are now up and running.

Construction on Ray Wind Farm commenced at the end of July 2015.

The 54.4MW wind farm will produce enough fossil fuel-free power each year to meet the annual demand of over 30,000 UK households.

Gunnar Groebler, Vattenfall’s head of business area wind, said: “I would like to congratulate Vattenfall colleagues and contractors for a job safely done, on time and to budget.

“We have been encouraged by cross party support for determined action on climate change in the General Election.

“We’re convinced that onshore wind can and will help keep energy bills down for consumers and businesses, whilst driving clean economic growth. That is why we continue to develop good projects in the UK.”

Vattenfall is putting a £250,000 community benefit fund in place annually for the rest of its lifespan for community organisations within a 10km radius of the wind farm.