With a replacement likely to cost in excess of £1m, ScottishPower Renewable (UK) is assessing the cause of a fire that destroyed one of their wind turbines at Coldham near Wisbech earlier today. Coldham Windfarm was constructed in 2005 and is a joint project between ScottishPower Renewables and the Co-Operative Group.
Coldham was equipped with eight Vestas turbines, capable of generating up to 16 megawatts of cleaner greener energy.
In 2012, the Coldham II wind farm was added, which has seven turbines and the capacity to generate 14 megawatts of energy.
Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue called crews from March, and from Stanground in Peterborough to tackle the blaze which broke out at around 10am.
“You may have seen there is a fire involving a wind turbine near Coldham,” said a fire service statement.
“We have firefighters at the scene working hard to extinguish the fire.
“If you see the flames on your travels, please be assured that we are aware of the fire and have it under control.”
Coldham II wind farm was built next to the original Coldham Wind Farm and can power around 8,000 homes. The seven 14MW turbines were built adjacent its Phase I 16 MW sibling.
A year ago, ScottishPower Renewables signed an agreement with Co-op to supply long-term, clean energy from a its solar farm, also located at Coldham.
Co-op said it would utilise 100% of the electricity produced from Coldham solar farm for its estate, including food stores, distribution centres and Funeralcare homes right across the UK, over a 15-year period, to increase energy security and accelerate its path towards decarbonisation.
In their annual accounts, to December 31, ScottishPower Renewables (UK) Ltd, announced it would continue with windfarms “for the foreseeable future”.
The company said production was lower than the prior year as a result of reduced wind resource along with reduced capacity following the decommissioning of a Scottish windfarm.
“Throughout 2023, the company continued construction of its 9 MW solar project at Coldham wind farm which became operational in March 2024,” it said.
ScottishPower Renewables aims to supply Co-op with a peak capacity of 9MW of clean energy – enough to power around 55 Co-op food stores, or the equivalent of 2,000 homes.
Charlie Jordan, CEO, ScottishPower Renewables said, “We’re delighted to partner with companies that understand the importance of decarbonising their operations.
“By securing long-term commitments, PPAs provide stability, certainty, and ultimately accelerate our journey towards a greener, more resilient energy landscape.”
The Coldham solar farm is co-located with SPR’s existing Coldham windfarm.
Wind turbine on fire at Coldham near Wisbech
Coldham is one of a number of ScottishPower Renewables’ large-scale clean energy developments in the East Anglia region.
ScottishPower Renewables reported net profit for 2023 of £948.8 million (2022 Restated £268.7 million). A dividend of £843.6 million was paid during the year (2022 £316.3 million).
Coldham Windfarm near Wisbech was constructed in 2005 and is a joint project between ScottishPower Renewables and the Co-Operative Group. It is where a wind turbine burnt out earlier today.
