Crisp maker wants wind power at Skem plant

CRISP maker Walkers is to apply to West Lancashire Borough Council to install a new 125m-high wind turbine at its factory in Skelmersdale.

The firm said that the turbine would generate around 30% of the Pennine Place plant’s energy requirements, which would cut carbon dioxide emissions by around 3,000 tonnes a year.

It is holding a public exhibition at its plant on June 17 and 18 so local residents and businesses can see plans for the turbine as part of a consultation process being carried out before it submits its planning application.  If approved, the turbine will be instated by RWE npower.

Simon Ely, site leader for Walkers in Skelmersdale, said: “Walkers is very committed to minimising its impact on the environment. Our parent company PepsiCo aims to be fossil fuel-free in the UK by 2023 and by investing in a wind turbine here in Skelmersdale we can play an important role in this strategy.

“The turbine will enable us to generate around a third of the electricity used at our Skelmersdale site, which is enough to power around 1500 average-sized homes.”  

If planning is eventually approved, Walkers will install the turbine at the end of 2012 and it has been designed to operate for 20 years.