The grant will aid the Wind Energy Engineering Research Group at UCLan to develop the efficiency, quality, reliability and safety of small wind turbine (SWT) systems, reducing the cost per unit (kWh) of electricity generated by the small wind turbine systems.

Ultimately it is hoped that these improvements will increase the uptake of small wind technologies by small and medium sized businesses by providing SMEs with diagnosis and technical advice services, technical services and knowledge transfer services.

David Malpass, Director of European Programme says: “By developing a world-class, high-tech small wind energy technologies sector within the Northwest region, the project at UCLan will raise awareness and interest from stakeholders at a national level. This will further boost the region’s excellent profile for wind energy technologies, increase investment within the sector, leading to more jobs and positive economic impact.”

Managed by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), ERDF allocates funding to different regions throughout the European Union to boost economic development in less prosperous areas.