By Jenna Cairney

WITH ENVIRONMENTAL issues to the fore for many members of the public and record energy price increases being announced, The Courier is running a series of articles discussing the implications of going green.

Consumers received a huge blow yesterday when British Gas owner Centrica announced staggering price rises of 35% on gas and 9% on electricity.

Watchdog Energywatch said it believed the 35% gas bill rise was the biggest single increase in the price of a utility seen to date, and it is believed other companies will soon follow suit.

The first in our environmental series focuses on an eco- conscious Monifieth resident who hopes his mini-wind turbine will help him beat the credit crunch.

James Armstrong, of Tay Street in Monifieth, had a micro-wind turbine fitted to his house one year ago and said he would recommend the device to anyone looking to save money as well as the environment.

“One of the initial reasons for getting the turbine installed was the rising cost of energy bills,” Mr Armstrong said.

“Fuel bills keep on rising. I saw the turbine in B&Q and thought it might be beneficial in reducing my bills a bit.

“It does all depend on the wind but I’m hopeful that it will save me money overall.”

Mr Armstrong’s device is designed to supplement the supply of electricity drawn from the National Grid.

The product he uses allows the system to connect directly into the ring main of his house. This enables less electricity to be drawn from the National Grid when the turbine is generating power, which should result in reduced electricity bills from the utility supplier.

Mr Armstrong said because he had only installed the turbine last July it was difficult to estimate how much money he would eventually save.

“We had our meter changed and I always switch things like the TV off, so I’m not sure how much of our savings on electricity are to do with the turbine,” he added.

“They say it takes about five years to break even with the cost, but that depends on the amount of wind.

“For the turbine and installation, it costs about £1500. We also got a grant from an environmental agency which put about £450 towards it.”

Professionals fitted the system and though the process of mounting the turbine is relatively easy, the council’s insistence on planning permission complicates matters.

“If the council relaxed planning, it might encourage a few more people to start thinking about getting a turbine,” Mr Armstrong added.

“I had to get planning permission from the council which bumped the cost back up. In some areas you don’t need planning permission, but you do in Monifieth.

“I think if the council would consider doing away with that it might give people a bit of an incentive to try a turbine and see if they can cut their bills.”

It has been reported that the UK parliament may allow small turbines to be erected in urban areas, and once the European Commission approves the move, a lifting of the current restrictions could take place imminently.

Mr Armstrong said he could not think of any downsides to the turbine and now has ambitions to continue using alternative energy sources.

“I would now really like to get solar panels fitted.

“I’ve spoken to a number of people who have them and they say they are really good.

“If you use a lot of hot water, you can save quite a lot on energy.

“I certainly would recommend the wind turbine to others.

“If it keeps our bills down and does something good for the environment, then it is worth it.”