A COMPANY that wants to create a wind farm on the edge of a beauty spot says the Government’s calculation of the efficiency of nearby turbines is inaccurate.

Last month, representatives from Banks Developments told residents of Hamsterley, in County Durham, that Ofgem figures showing that West Durham Wind Farm, at Tow Law, had achieved only 27.1 per cent efficiency last year were wrong.

The company wants to erect six turbines on land at Windy Bank, near Hamsterley Forest.

The Ofgem figures are calculated by the number of renewables obligation certificates (Rocs) claimed by the energy company. Rocs are claimed for each kilowatt hour of energy produced by a wind farm, and are exchanged for subsidies.

Phil Dyke, the managing director of Banks Renewables, said: “Banks Renewables is committed to developing wind farms which will help meet the country’s growing need for energy.

“West Durham Wind Farm did not become fully operational until July 2009, therefore the calculation made for efficiency for 2009 based on the number of Rocs issued is inaccurate.

“In addition, the first year of operation for a wind farm does not give an accurate reflection of its efficiency as, during this time, the wind farm is subject to periods of testing.”

Mr Dyke rejected a claim that Banks Developments and RWE npower Renewables, which recently backed out of a wind farm scheme at Bolam, near West Auckland, were in talks about a joint project.

Mr Dyke said: “There is absolutely no truth in the suggestion that Banks Renewables is in secret discussions with RWE npower.”

No one from RWE Npower Renewables was available for comment.