Ford Harnesses Wind to Help Power U.K. Engine Plant

Ford of Britain installs the largest and most powerful of three wind turbines at its Dagenham diesel-engine operation.

Ford adds third wind turbine at Dagenham.

The 394-ft. (120-m) turbine, as tall as a 36-story building, now is contributing clean electricity to power engine production in the Ford Dagenham Diesel Center.

The main assembly was completed when the 269-ft.- (82-m-) diameter windmill blades and hub were hoisted 260 ft. (80 m) into the air by one of the U.K.'s largest cranes.

The crane was delivered to the site by four articulated trucks and itself required a 176-ton (160-t) crane to be assembled.

Engine production at Dagenham exceeds 38 million units, and Ford says increasing demand required the installation of a third turbine to avoid using nonrenewable forms of generated electricity.

“The Ford Dagenham Diesel Center is once again 100% wind-powered,” Line Manager Chris Woolacott says.

The new turbine produces enough electricity annually to power 1,692 homes and save 2,646 tons (2,401 t) of carbon dioxide, Ford says.

Dagenham’s three turbines, combined, make enough electricity to power 3,400 homes while saving 5,453 tons (4,947 t) of CO2 every year.