A primary school has been asked to shut down its £20,000 wind turbine after the rotary blades of the 9m high structure killed passing seabirds.
The turbine, located at Southwell Community Primary School in Portland, was erected 18 months ago when the educational institution received a Department of Energy and Climate Change grant to install an alternative energy source. The turbine provides the school with six kilowatts per hour of energy. However, its performance could not justify the slaughter of the local wildlife and the school was forced to switch off the power source after 14 birds were killed in six months.
School governors met with seagull eyesight experts and have investigated possible measures to ensure the birds would steer clear of the 9m high equipment. Headteacher Stuart McLeod, fortunately made it to school in time most days to remove the bodies of the dead birds prior to the pupils arriving for study.
According to Mr McLeod, the manufacturer told the school that maybe one death a year could be anticipated, but the headteacher said that the school has seen 14 dead birds in six months time. This prompted the decision to shut down the turbine until further precautions can be made.
The school is currently in negotiations with Dorset County Council to figure out the future of the newly purchased wind energy source. According to Mr McLeod, the school cannot just get rid of the equipment since it was purchased with grant money provided by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, which states the turbine must remain on school property for at least five years.
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