A NORTH-EAST company has erected the first demonstration vertical axis wind turbine on a farm in Devon.

Vertical Wind Energy of Newcastle erected the 6kW 12m tall turbine on George and Anne Douglas’ farm near Exmoor.

Tony Gordon, chief executive, said the design of the turbine means it can utilise the wind regardless of direction.

He said: “These turbines are also extremely effective in high winds when significant energy can be generated, unlike many conventional horizontal axis wind turbines.”

The vertical axis turbines are also said to be quieter than others.

Chris Muir, founding partner of CH4e, environmental consultants, who worked with the turbine company, said: “Such micro-generation wind turbines are a great way for estate managers and farmers to become energy producers as well as food producers. It will save them money and create an income stream.

“For domestic users, if you assume electricity costs 12p per by Mike Bridgen mike.bridgen@dst.co.uk unit and you add to this the Feed in Tariff paid for electricity you return to the grid, the figures soon begin to add up, in terms of tax free yields of around 11pc or even better.

“The savings for commercial units can be even greater with tax advantages."