SOME of the biggest and most powerful onshore wind turbines built in the UK so far are being lined up for the Northumberland coastline in a project to re-power one of the country’s oldest wind farms.

Construction work is finally due to start within months on the scheme to replace the nine turbines at Blyth Harbour, which have been producing renewable energy for almost 20 years.

The first phase of the scheme – which was given the green light more than three years ago – involves the installation of what is believed to be the largest turbine yet built on land in the UK.

The giant 3.4 megawatt machine, which will be erected at the landward end of the East Pier, is capable of producing more energy on its own than the existing nine turbines combined.

Towering a total of 130 metres from base to blade tip, it will be more than six times higher than the Angel of the North, three times higher than Grey’s Monument and more than twice the height of Nelson’s Column.

Blyth Harbour Wind Farm operator, Hainsford Energy, says a contract for the REpower Systems XM104 turbine was executed last week, and work on site will start in May.

The company says it hopes shortly to be able to announce its financial partner for the second phase of the project. That involves building three more of the REpower XM104 machines on the East Pier itself.