A LEADING figure behind the Ness Point wind turbine in Lowestoft has today encouraged Ipswich to follow their lead and construct a turbine in Ravenswood.

A LEADING figure behind the Ness Point wind turbine in Lowestoft has today encouraged Ipswich to follow their lead and construct a turbine in Ravenswood.

Steven Wood, corporate director for regeneration and the environment at Waveney District Council was involved from the start in the development of the Lowestoft turbine – the biggest in the country.

And now he has backed Ipswich Borough Council's preliminary plans after heralding their turbine as a "great success."

Mr Wood said: "Since the turbine was completed at the start of this year, it has had a real impact here.

"There has always been a general support for the turbine in Lowestoft and there were very few objections to the planning permission which was granted three or four years ago.

"I think people in the area are very proud of it now. It also represents the future for jobs in the area. We want to continue to develop and become the centre for renewable energy."

The Ness Point turbine stands at 126 metres and, when it is fully operational and running at maximum power, can generate 2,750 kilowatts an hour – enough to power 1,600 homes.

The company behind Ness Point are Sea and Land Power Energy (SLP) and they are also one of two renewable energy specialists pushing for the development at Ravenswood.

The UK has 93 wind farms in operation, with 1,100 turbines producing renewable energy. The government has set a target of ten per cent of all energy produced to be from renewable sources by 2010. At present less than 4pc of the UK's electricity supply comes from renewable sources.

The construction of turbines has often proved controversial as the debate rages over the environmental and visual impact of structures that often stand more than 100 metres.

However, Mr Wood said: "Because of the height of the turbine, it can be viewed from all over Lowestoft, but we've had no complaints about it. In fact, only positive remarks have been made about the look of the thing.

"Noise certainly hasn't been a problem either and since it was built, visitor numbers to the area have increased."

He added: "As a council, we want to encourage more turbines around this part of the world. I think it will be up to the people of Ipswich whether they want a turbine or not, but from our point of view, it has been a great success."