A FARMER hopes to light and heat 2,272 homes with two wind turbines being built on his land.

Michael Eggleston, of South Sharpley Farm, High Sharpley, near Hetton-le-Spring, signed a deal with Cornwall Light and Power (CLP), and hopes the green energy supply will be operational by Christmas.

The two 1.3 megawatt turbines on 60-metres high towers are being erected and will both have three-bladed rotors. They will have an estimated combined output of 7,500 megawatt hours a year.

Power from the site will be sold to Northern Electric Distribution Limited and fed into the region's grid supply.

CLP was formed to build and operate a wind farm near the world's largest satellite earth station at Goonhilly, in Cornwall, and now has 30 projects in the UK.

"It means that my venture is part of a growing national network of wind clusters," said Mr Eggleston.

"For me, the other really important statistic is the level of carbon dioxide emissions we avoid by using wind power instead of coal-fired generation.

"According to the British Wind Energy Association, each megawatt of wind power avoids putting 860 kilograms of C02 into the atmosphere.

"Based on our expected output, we will save 6,450 tonnes of C02 emissions a year, and I am very proud of that.

"Nationally, more than 80 per cent of people are now in favour of wind energy, with only five per cent against it, and certainly my neighbours are most supportive.

"The fuel is free and abundant. The UK is the windiest country in Europe and the resource is much greater during the winter months when energy demand is at its highest.

"I think we all wonder from time to time what we can do about climate change. It's certainly worried me for some years, and I now feel very fortunate that I am able to make a lasting difference in this way."

A spokesman for Cornwall Light and Power said: "Even a small scheme like this is capable of making a difference and the impact on the area is not that great."