Nissan’s Sunderland plant will increase the size of its wind farm later in the year with the addition of two more turbines.

Expected to be fully operational in January, the expanded farm will generate around 6% of the plant’s annual energy requirement, up from 5% today.

Installation will begin next month bringing the total number of turbines on the site to eight. The new turbines will be located to the south of the site alongside the existing farm.

Nissan said the turbines will deliver a cost saving of nearly £1 million a year which will offset rising energy costs.

In addition, carbon dioxide emissions will be cut by up to 4,000 tonnes per year at power plants supplying the factory with electricity.