File:Turbine Tower No 23 under construction at Scout Moor - geograph.org.uk - 1035671.jpg

Seen here in early June 2008 the top 22 metre 55 ton tower section has just been lifted into position by the huge mobile crane.

For the more technically minded the crane in the picture is built by the Swiss company Liebherr http://www.liebherr.com/lh/en/691.asp The eight-axle LTM 1500-8.1 above is equipped with a 7-section, 84 m telescopic boom, the longest telescopic boom in the world. The lifting capacities are increased considerably due to the jib-suspension. The lattice jib, reaching lengths of up to 91 m, extends the operating range of the 500-tonner to 145 m hoisting height and 108 m reach.http://www.liebherr.com/at/en/products_at.asp?menuID=106082

Following a public inquiry held in 2004, planning consent was granted by the Secretary of State on the 25th May 2005 for the building of Scout Moor Wind Farm. Construction of the wind turbines began back in November 2007 at Turbine No 16 on the right in the picture. By June 2008 engineers had constructed 26 wind turbine towers and installed 78 turbine blades 450 metres above sea level on Scout Moor amid adverse weather conditions of thick fog,gale force winds, torrential rain, snow and ice during the winter months of 2008.

On the 25th of September 2008 dignitaries from across the North West were invited to the official opening of the Scout Moor wind farm. Children from Edenfield Primary School, who have enjoyed lessons based around the wind farm, were on hand to cut the ribbon at Turbine No 22.https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/980311

Head Teacher at Edenfield Primary School, Janet Reidy, said: "It was superb for the children to be involved after all the work they had done about the wind farm in their lessons. I think they will all remember this in future years and now they know what it's like to be film stars with all the camera crews there!"

Richard Dibley, wind power development manager at Peel, said at the opening: "We have welcomed people here today to thank them for their patience and understanding during the construction period and for them to see the wind farm in action at close quarters. I think we have chosen the perfect site here as it is more than 50% windier up here than it is in the surrounding area. These turbines will be generating power for years to come using a natural resource that will never run out."

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Turbine details: Tower Height: 60m Blade Length: 40m Total Max Height: 100m Manufacturer: Nordex