Running Since: August 1999
Number of turbines:1
Rotor diameter:66m
Hub height:67m
Capacity:1.5MW
Green electricity per year:3.1 million units
Homes powered (equiv):753
Tonnes of CO2 saved p.a.:1,221
The Green Britain Centre, Norfolk
The UK’s first big windmill
When we built this turbine in 1999, your average windmill in the UK stood about 30m tall. This one was more than twice that height and three times the capacity - the UKs first megawatt class windmill.
It's no ordinary turbine either, it is the only one in the world with a publicly accessible viewing platform, 67 metres up and offering 360 degree views of the Norfolk countryside.
The viewing platform was designed by Sir Norman Foster, architect of the Gherkin and New Wembley Stadium in London.
The turbine is one of the big attractions at the newly opened Green Britain Centre: the centre has evolved from the popular EcoTech Centre, which attracted over a quarter of a million visitors since opening in 1999.
Other attractions at the Green Britain Centre include:
- The Greenbird, the worlds fastest wind powered vehicle
- One of Britains largest solar trackers
- A wind turbine blade famously reported to have been detached by a UFO
- Heirloom orchard and organic gardens
- A Cafe, serving delicious homemade local and organic vegetarian food
Visitors can check out greenbritaincentre.co.uk/whats-on or call 01760 726100 for more details.
