The wind farm at Nissan Sunderland is now fully operational and has begun generating power for the plant.

Construction of the £2 million project began in September, when the first of six wind turbines was installed in the centre of the 750 acre site.

Now the switch-on has been successfully completed, and the turbines have begun generating what will amount to 5% of the car plant's annual energy requirement. They will also cut carbon dioxide emissions from power plants supplying the car factory by up to 10,000 tonnes a year.

Planning permission for the farm was granted by Sunderland City Council following a feasibility study. This took into consideration the views and opinions of local residents, as well as ensuring that the farm complies with strict noise level guidelines.

The new wind turbines at the Nissan Sunderland plant