Powering the Future
The Unipres Wind Turbine Vision for Washington
A sustainable approach
Unipres Corporation is committed to a zero-carbon future.
Across the group, our approach is to reduce our environmental impact and contribute to the realisation of a safe and sustainable society globally.
To fulfil our social responsibility, we are maximising our efforts to harness energy from green sources and, where possible, create our own.
Guided by the Unipres Environmental Policy, we comply with laws and regulations on the environment, along with building, maintaining, and continually improving our environmental management system.
We seek to build trust and establish long-standing, beneficial relationship with stakeholders and neighbours, which is why we’d love your views on Unipres’ proposals for a new wind turbine at our Sunderland plant.
The Project
Transitioning to carbon-free operations is our goal.
As such, Unipres seeks to erect a single wind turbine generator within our plant.
Underground cables would connect the turbine into an existing substation, on the northern side of the manufacturing facility.
Generating electricity from a renewable energy source directly supports ongoing operations and alleviates reliance on power from the combustion of fossil fuels, increasingly important in the context of addressing the global climate crisis, reaching Net Zero, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reducing average temperatures.
Size
The proposed wind turbine would be up to 150m to blade tip.
Unipres has undergone EIA Scoping to determine the scope of the Environmental Statement to accompany the Planning Application submitted to Sunderland City Council and can be viewed here: (25/01645/SCO | Request for Scoping Opinion for: Erection of 1 wind turbine with a maxiumum height to blade tip of 150m with approximate capacity of 5 megawatts. | Unipres Uk Ltd Cherry Blossom Way Washington SR5 3NT).
After careful consideration of all options, this site was chosen as the preferred location:
Noise
We appreciate people have concerns about noise when turbines are proposed. We have provided some context on the topic.
Turbine noise varies with wind speed, and the noise contour plot predicts noise levels when operating at maximum output. These predictions measured in decibels decrease with distance from the proposed turbine location.
Potential noise comparisons generated by wind turbines with everyday activities:
| Source / Activity | Indicative Noise Level dB(A) |
|---|---|
| Threshold of Pain | 140 |
| Jet aircraft at 250 m | 105 |
| Pneumatic drill at 7 m | 95 |
| Truck at 30 mph at 100 m | 65 |
| Busy general office | 60 |
| Car at 40 mph at 100 m | 55 |
| Wind farm at 350 m | 35-45 |
| Quiet bedroom | 20 |
| Rural night-time background | 20-40 |
| Threshold of hearing | 0 |
Visibility
Visibility within the surrounding area has been carefully considered, including its location and determining maximum height.
A landscape and visual consultant developed the below “Zone of Theoretical Visibility” of the proposed turbine.
Turbine
Chosen for its techno-economic modelling and environmental considerations during a detailed design process, turbine is also based on availability and may be subject to change.
Some general information on the Vestas V117-4.2 MW can be found in the below table:
| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Vestas |
| Model Name | V117 |
| Rotor Diameter | 117 m |
| Hub Height | 84, 91.5 m |
| Minimum tip height | 142.5 m |
| Maximum tip height | 150 m |
| Nominal Power | 4,000 / 4,200 kW |
| Wind Class (IEC) | IEC IB-T / IEC IIA-T / IEC S-T |
| Turbine concept | Gearless, variable speed, full power converter |
| Design service life | 20-25 years |
| Cut in wind speed | 3 m/s |
| Cut out wind speed | 25 m/s |
| Rotational speed | 15 rpm |
| Ambient temperature for normal operation | -20°C to 30°C |
| Extreme temperature range | -20°C to 45°C |
| Grid Frequency | 50 Hz / 60 Hz |
| Sound power level | 106 dB |
FAQs
Why are Unipres developing a wind turbine?
Unipres Corporation is committed to transitioning to carbon-free operations.
Our approach is to reduce our environmental impact and harness energy from green sources and, where possible, create our own.
Generating electricity from a renewable energy source directly supports ongoing operations, alleviates reliance on fossil fuels, helps address the global climate crisis and achieving Net Zero targets, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions
How do Unipres decide where to site a proposed turbine?
The process started with the search for an alternative form of onsite energy generation to satisfy the energy demand of the Unipres facility.
Unipres’ landholding was meticulously assessed for suitability to accommodate a single wind turbine and, after careful consideration of the environment and community during a detailed feasibility study, the proposed location was determined
What are the benefits of wind energy?
Wind energy is an abundant natural resource, non-polluting, clean, and sustainable.
The UK has one of Europe’s windiest climates. Wind energy is an important element in achieving the Government’s commitment to reduce 80% of total CO2 emissions by 2050. The proposed development would help to move towards these targets and benefit the community, aiding Sunderland City Council’s targets of Net Zero by 2045.
Will the project cause traffic issues?
During construction and decommissioning, there will be an increase in vehicles used to move equipment and materials on the roads.
However, minimising impact of construction traffic is a vital part of consultation with the planning authority and highways. A Construction Traffic Management Plan will accompany the planning application and set out how this will be achieved.
Once the proposed development is operational, the number and size of vehicles will significantly reduce as only maintenance visits will be made to site.
Timeline
Commitment to clean energy (shot of PV array on UUK roof)
Unipres UK is driven to drive down carbon emissions and lessen its operational impact on the environment.
To create clean energy and reduce general consumption, the company introduced a photovoltaic installation in 2020, at Sunderland.
The 5,400Kw rooftop solar panel installation generated a yield of 3,556,882 kWhr / kWp in 2024, and we are investigating further installations either on the roof or level based.
Unipres continues to use electricity from nuclear power stations, allowing use to operate with zero emissions.
The use of LPG and City Gas has reduced through improved management. We are also looking to invest in wind power, which will significantly reduce our dependency on drawing electricity from the grid.
Unipres Green House Gas (GHG) performance
GHG emissions and energy usage
| GHG emissions and energy usage data for period 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024 | ||
| UK and offshore | ||
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Emissions from combustion of gas (Scope 1 – tonnes of CO₂e) | 477 | 553 |
| Emissions from combustion of fuel for transport purposes (Scope 1 – tonnes of CO₂e) | 143 | 204 |
| Emissions from electricity purchased for own use, including purposes of transport (Scope 2 – tonnes of CO₂e) | 0 | 0 |
| Emissions from business travel in rental cars or employee-owned vehicles where company purchases the fuel (Scope 3 – tonnes of CO₂e) | 18.3 | 64.7 |
| Total gross CO₂e based on above | 638.3 | 821.7 |
| Energy consumption used to calculate emissions – kwh | 19,960,650 | 21,710,500 |
| Total gross CO₂e (as above) per £m revenue | 4.16 | 4.67 |
Reporting and methodology
In short, total energy consumption of 20.0m kwh (2023: 21.7m kwh) has reduced by 8% while the total CO2e per £m revenue of 4.16 (2023: 4.67) has reduced 11%.
- Unipres follows the 2023 UK Government environmental reporting guidance
- Unipres uses the GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard
We want your views
Unipres UK prides itself on being a good neighbour. We want to inform and engage with the communities, people and organisations that neighbour our plant. As such, we want to hear your thoughts about our green energy ambitions.
Submit your comments
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