Wind farm plan put forward

The plans are pioneering wind energy

Proposals to build a wind farm in Essex to help provide energy for a motor plant have been put forward.

Ecotricity and Ford Motor Company Limited have announced plans to build a wind park, based in Dagenham, Essex.

In a pioneering partnership, Ecotricity will be submitting a planning application, to build three large wind turbines, at Ford Motor Company's Dagenham Estate.

Located only 16km (10 miles) from the city of London, the development aims to create a major new Thames-side landmark for the capital.

The proposal is for three wind turbines

If given the go ahead the park will provide 100% of the electricity needed by Ford's new Assembly Hall that is being built to expand production of high-tech diesel engines at the Dagenham plant.

This is equivalent to enough electricity to power more than 3,000 homes.

Dale Vince, managing director of Ecotricity said: "This is a very exciting project, pioneering the commercial use of wind energy in the UK and setting an example to the rest of the world."

One of the turbines will include a 65-metre high public viewing platform, accessible via a stairwell inside the turbine tower.