A wind energy company will continue to operate turbines in Haverigg for another 15 years.

After receiving unanimous support from its members, Copeland Council agreed to grant Windcluster the required planning consent to extend the existing lease.

The Vesta V52 turbines were installed in 2005 and were originally designed for a 20-year lifespan.

Due to operating under relatively low-stress conditions at the site and the provision of a good maintenance regime, the turbines are still in excellent condition.

Colin Palmer, founder and managing director at Windcluster, said: “Today, Windcluster is part of a multi-billion pound global industry that is leading the charge to net zero. Thirty-three years ago, Windcluster was just an idea and wind energy was widely dismissed as a passing fad. Hard to believe now, but it was a huge struggle to raise money for the company when we built our first wind turbines in 1992. Undeterred, I managed to raise the money and support we needed to build our first project on a windy airfield in Cumbria, one of the first commercial windfarms in the UK.

“Our turbines are in very good condition and were over-designed for the site conditions, so we are confident that they will run for long after their original life expectancy. Our challenge now is to work out for how long, and what we need to do to keep them performing at their best. If all goes well, they could still be turning in 2040, more than 50 years after Windcluster was originally founded.”