Name: Trimdon Grange Wind Farm
Address: GB

Overview

Trimdon Grange Wind Farm is an operational onshore wind energy facility located near the settlement of Trimdon Grange in County Durham, England. The project represents a localized contribution to the renewable energy infrastructure of the region, harnessing wind resources to generate electricity for the grid. Commissioned in October 2008, the wind farm has been in continuous service since its initial startup, establishing itself as a functional component of the local energy mix. The facility is situated within the administrative boundaries of County Durham, placing it within the broader energy landscape of northern England.

The technical configuration of the Trimdon Grange Wind Farm is defined by a compact array of four wind turbines. Each unit is a Nordex N60 model, a specific turbine type selected for this installation. The individual capacity of each of the four Nordex N60 turbines is 1.3 MW. This specific equipment choice results in a total installed capacity of 5.2 MW for the entire wind farm. The aggregation of these four units provides the total power output capability of the site, with no additional turbines or capacity expansions noted in the available grounding data. The operational status remains active, with Cumbria Wind Farms serving as the designated operator responsible for the management and maintenance of the facility.

The development of the wind farm was led by EDF, which acted as the primary developer for the project. This development phase culminated in the October 2008 commissioning date, marking the transition from construction to active energy production. The handover to Cumbria Wind Farms for operational duties highlights the separation between the initial development phase and the ongoing operational management. The site continues to function under these parameters, utilizing the four Nordex N60 turbines to capture wind energy in the County Durham location. No further changes to the turbine count, model, or total capacity have been recorded in the provided source material, indicating a stable operational profile since its 2008 inception.

Technical Specifications and Infrastructure

The Trimdon Grange Wind Farm utilizes a standardized fleet of onshore wind turbines to generate electricity. The installation consists of four identical units, specifically the Nordex N60 model. These turbines were selected for the site to provide a combined installed capacity of 5.2 MW. Each individual turbine contributes 1.3 MW to the total output, creating a uniform generation profile across the facility. The operational setup relies on these four units working in concert to capture wind energy near Trimdon Grange in County Durham, England.

Turbine Specifications

The technical configuration of the wind farm is defined by the specific characteristics of the Nordex N60 turbines. These machines are designed for onshore deployment and feature a rotor diameter of 60 meters, which corresponds to the "N60" designation. The hub height is typically set to optimize wind capture in the local terrain. The generator type and gear box configuration are integral to the 1.3 MW rated power output per unit. The following table details the key technical parameters of the installed equipment.

Parameter	Value
Turbine Model	Nordex N60
Number of Units	4
Capacity per Unit	1.3 MW
Total Installed Capacity	5.2 MW
Rotor Diameter	60 m
Technology Type	Onshore Wind

The infrastructure supporting these turbines includes the necessary electrical cabling to aggregate the power from the four generators. This collected energy is then fed into the local grid infrastructure. The choice of the Nordex N60 model reflects the engineering requirements for the site's wind conditions and space availability. The uniformity of the turbine fleet simplifies maintenance operations and allows for standardized spare parts management. The operational status of the farm remains active, with the turbines continuing to convert kinetic wind energy into electrical power for the region.

Development and Operational History

The Trimdon Grange Wind Farm project was initiated through the development efforts of EDF, a major energy company that played a central role in bringing the facility to fruition. Located near Trimdon Grange in County Durham, England, the wind farm represents a focused investment in onshore wind energy infrastructure in the region. The development phase culminated in the commissioning of the facility in October 2008, marking the official entry of the project into operational status.

Upon its completion, the wind farm was configured with four Nordex N60 turbines, each with a capacity of 1.3 MW, resulting in a total installed capacity of 5.2 MW. This specific turbine selection and layout were integral to the project's design, ensuring efficient energy capture in the local wind conditions. The operational management of the facility was subsequently assigned to Cumbria Wind Farms, which has been responsible for overseeing the day-to-day functioning and maintenance of the turbines since the project's launch.

Commissioning and Early Operations

The commissioning of the Trimdon Grange Wind Farm in October 2008 signified the transition from construction to active energy production. The four Nordex N60 turbines began contributing to the local energy grid shortly after this date, providing a steady output of wind-generated power. The operational status of the wind farm has remained consistent since its inception, with Cumbria Wind Farms continuing to manage the site effectively. This continuity in operation underscores the reliability of the infrastructure and the successful execution of the initial development plan by EDF.

Throughout its operational history, the Trimdon Grange Wind Farm has maintained its role as a key component of the renewable energy landscape in County Durham. The facility's ability to sustain operations since 2008 reflects the robust design of the Nordex N60 turbines and the effective management practices employed by Cumbria Wind Farms. The wind farm continues to contribute to the regional energy mix, demonstrating the long-term viability of onshore wind projects in the area.

Geographic and Regional Context

Trimdon Grange Wind Farm is situated in the onshore landscape near Trimdon Grange, within County Durham, England. This location places the facility within the broader geographic and industrial context of Northeast England, a region that has historically been defined by its coal mining heritage and is increasingly characterized by its transition toward renewable energy infrastructure. The specific siting of the wind farm in County Durham reflects the strategic utilization of the region’s topographical features and wind resources, which are suitable for onshore wind generation. The proximity to the village of Trimdon Grange indicates a semi-rural or peri-urban setting, where energy infrastructure intersects with local community landscapes.

Position within the English Onshore Wind Landscape

The operational profile of Trimdon Grange Wind Farm contributes to the decentralized nature of England’s onshore wind capacity. Commissioned in October 2008, the facility represents a specific era of wind farm development in England, where medium-scale projects were common before the industry shifted toward larger, multi-megawatt installations. This configuration is typical of early-to-mid 2000s onshore wind projects in the United Kingdom, which often utilized standardized turbine models to optimize cost and efficiency.

The choice of Nordex N60 turbines highlights the technological standards prevalent during the commissioning period. Nordex is a well-known manufacturer in the global wind energy sector, and the N60 model was widely deployed in the UK market during that timeframe. The total capacity of 5.2 MW, while modest compared to modern utility-scale wind farms, represents a significant local contribution to the regional grid. The operation of the facility by Cumbria Wind Farms further illustrates the specialized nature of wind farm management in the UK, where operators may manage portfolios of assets across different geographic regions, even if the farm is located in County Durham.

The development of the wind farm by EDF underscores the role of major energy companies in driving the initial expansion of onshore wind in England. EDF’s involvement in the development phase indicates a strategic investment in renewable energy assets during a period of growing policy support for wind power in the United Kingdom. The transition from development by a large energy corporation to operation by a specialized wind farm operator like Cumbria Wind Farms is a common pattern in the lifecycle of wind assets, reflecting the maturation of the wind energy market and the emergence of dedicated operational expertise.

Geographically, the location in County Durham places the wind farm within a region that has seen significant investment in renewable energy infrastructure in recent years. The onshore wind sector in England has grown substantially, with County Durham being one of the counties that has embraced wind power as part of its energy mix. The Trimdon Grange Wind Farm, therefore, serves as an example of how local geographic conditions and regional energy strategies have converged to facilitate the deployment of wind energy infrastructure. The facility’s operational status since 2008 demonstrates the longevity and reliability of onshore wind technology in the English landscape.

The integration of the Trimdon Grange Wind Farm into the local and regional energy context highlights the importance of site-specific factors in wind farm development. The availability of suitable land, access to the grid, and the wind resource quality in the Trimdon Grange area were critical considerations in the decision to develop the project. The successful operation of the wind farm for over a decade since its commissioning in October 2008 provides evidence of the viability of onshore wind energy in this part of England. The facility continues to contribute to the renewable energy output of County Durham, supporting the region’s efforts to diversify its energy sources and reduce carbon emissions.

In summary, the geographic and regional context of Trimdon Grange Wind Farm is defined by its location in County Durham, its contribution to the onshore wind landscape of England, and its role in the broader energy transition of the region. The facility’s technical specifications, including its four Nordex N60 turbines and 5.2 MW total capacity, reflect the technological and economic conditions of its commissioning in 2008. The involvement of EDF in development and Cumbria Wind Farms in operation highlights the collaborative and specialized nature of the wind energy sector in the United Kingdom. The wind farm stands as a testament to the ongoing evolution of energy infrastructure in England, where local geographic features and regional strategies continue to shape the deployment of renewable energy technologies.

Why it matters

Trimdon Grange Wind Farm represents a distinct case study in the early deployment of onshore wind energy in County Durham, England. As a small-scale development with a total installed capacity of 5.2 MW, the project highlights the operational realities of distributed renewable generation prior to the era of multi-hundred-megawatt wind parks. The facility consists of four Nordex N60 turbines, each rated at 1.3 MW, commissioned in October 2008. This configuration reflects the technology standards of the late 2000s, where mid-sized turbines were often deployed in clusters to optimize land use and grid connection costs in rural settings.

Development and Operational Structure

The project was developed by EDF, a major player in the UK energy sector, and is operated by Cumbria Wind Farms. The involvement of a large utility developer like EDF in a relatively small 5.2 MW project underscores the strategic importance of securing early renewable assets in the North East of England. The operational role of Cumbria Wind Farms indicates a specialized management approach, potentially grouping multiple smaller sites for efficient maintenance and output monitoring. This structure allows for localized expertise in managing the specific environmental and mechanical conditions of onshore wind assets in the region.

Local Context and Renewable Siting

Located near Trimdon Grange, the wind farm illustrates the intersection of local political influence and renewable energy siting in the UK. County Durham has seen significant growth in renewable infrastructure, and projects of this scale often face scrutiny regarding visual impact, noise, and land use. The successful commissioning in 2008 suggests that the project navigated local planning permissions effectively, balancing the need for renewable capacity with community acceptance. This case is relevant for understanding how smaller wind farms contribute to the broader energy mix, providing a baseline for comparing efficiency and output against larger, more recent developments. The operational status of the farm demonstrates the longevity of early onshore wind investments, which continue to contribute to the regional grid stability and carbon reduction targets.

Trimdon Grange Wind Farm