Wind saves hospital thousands

A wind turbine has saved Antrim Area Hospital £186,000

Antrim Area Hospital has saved £186,000 on electricity bills by installing a wind turbine, according to figures released in the assembly.

Since February 2005 the turbine has generated £56,000 profit, and 1,085 fewer tonnes of carbon dioxide were emitted into the atmosphere.

The 40m high turbine is the largest in any hospital in the UK, and is located off the health facility's campus.

South Antrim MLA Thomas Burns said: "the money freed up by not having to pay electricity bills and the profit gained from selling electricity back to the national grid can now be spent on patients and service.

"This turbine is not only good for the environment but it is good for the local people too," he said.

It cost £0.5m to put up, but 80% of that came from a government grant.

The figures came as Economy Minister, Nigel Dodds, committed himself to ensuring sustainable energy supplies.

"Over the next three years, I will be working to reduce Northern Ireland's carbon footprint and to improve the sustainability of Northern Ireland's energy market by harnessing renewable energy resources," Mr Dodds said.