Flintshire school bids to go green with plan for windmill

By Laura Jones and Kate Forrester

A SCHOOL is hoping to become the greenest around by setting up its own windmill to generate electricity.

Huw Jones, headteacher at Ysgol Glan Aber, Bagillt, is keen to make his plans to build a windmill in the school field become a reality.

He claims the venture would reduce the school’s electricity bills by between 50 and 100 per cent – but the school needs to overcome several hurdles before the project takes off.

Mr Jones said: “We are currently looking around for funding to get it off the ground, but the idea is still in the very early stages of development, there is funding and planning to consider yet.

“There is a fantastic spot on the top of the school but we have a consultant coming soon to see if it is a viable option for us.

“We would love a windmill here. The cheapest one we have seen is about £30,000, so we are looking for sponsorship for about £15,000 so we can get match funding from the Welsh Assembly.”

Mr Jones says the school might even be able to make a profit on the project, by selling its unused electricity back to the National Grid.

He added: “The windmill would be a great educational resource for the school and it would teach our children about the importance of green energy and there will be a digital screen to show them how much energy the windmill is producing.

“The school is on its third eco award and this would be a great addition for us.”

Bagillt councillor Mike Reece says Ysgol Glan Aber is leading the way in eco-friendly technology and hopes other schools will follow its example.

He said: “I will be doing all I can to help and I really hope the project gets the green light.

The staff are children at Glan Aber are really ahead of their game.”

Any businesses who want to sponsor the school can call Mr Jones on 01352 711995 or visit www.glanaber.org.uk.