UK’s first wind farm celebrates 30th anniversary
International artist Luke Jerram creates experimental light projection at Delabole wind farm
The UK’s first ever wind farm is celebrating its 30th birthday as the COP26 climate conference opens in Glasgow.
To mark the occasion, renewable energy company Good Energy commissioned renowned artist Luke Jerram to create an experimental light projection.
The piece, which features moving images depicting nature, messages to world leaders and audio of children’s voices, was projected onto a wind turbine at Delabole, the birthplace of UK renewables.
Over 150 residents of the village came to see the artwork in and celebrate the anniversary of the wind farm which was originally built by the Edwards family 30 years ago.
Good Energy, which owns and operates the wind farm, commissioned the project to inspire world leaders on the eve of the hugely important climate conference.
Nigel Pocklington, CEO of Good Energy, said: “The UK’s journey to net zero started in a small Cornish village back in the 90s. The Edwards family were pioneers of a green revolution 30 years ago, at a time when wind power was barely heard of. We wanted to mark this anniversary, bring the community together, and send a message to world leaders that the time is now.”
“We’ve come a long way in 30 years, and there is a long way to go to tackle this crisis. Climate change is a huge challenge, but this wind farm shows us that some of the answers are simple and already known.”
Artist Luke Jerram commented:
“We all need to do what we can to fight climate change. As an artist I’m hoping my skills in visual communication may be of use. The question is, what can you do, to play your part? No matter what skills you have, they’ll be needed in this climate emergency.
“This commission has given me the opportunity to test out new ideas. Some of the imagery we projected is only visible through long exposure photographs.”
The company, which earlier this year appointed an advisory board of secondary school age students called the Good Future Board, is also sponsoring the 16th UN Climate Change Conference of Youth (COY16) in Glasgow. It will be hosting a live meeting of its Good Future Board members at the event, which is run by YOUNGO – The Official Youth Constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), on the 30th October.
When asked what message they wanted to see from COP26, Good Future Board members commented:
Mahnoor Kamran, 17: “I would like to see a democratic response to the climate emergency: one where the voices of the Global South are most prominent!”
Akash Thaker, 18: “I want to see cohesion between science and government to ensure our futures are protected whilst safeguarding those who are most at risk due to climate change.”
Kathryn Gornall, 15: “I want to see history being made. I want to see our future being saved. I want to see ACTION.”
Jack Solly, 13: “I want to see meaningful action being taken immediately. Not words, not targets, but action. World changing action.”
Shaina Shah, 14: “I want to see world leaders devise innovative and practical solutions and put them into action now.”