Twin wind turbines towering over the A12 near Lowestoft are due to power local homes for the first time this week.

With construction of the two-turbine Kessingland wind farm now complete and both 126m tall turbines connected to the electricity grid, operator Triodos Renewables has announced that the farm should be fully commissioned by the end of this week. Once operational, the wind farm will generate sufficient power to supply the nearby Pakefield suburb with a population of nearly 7,000 people. The turbines together have the capacity to produce 2.05MW of green electricity – enough to power approximately 3,000 homes. One is sited on land leased from the Africa Alive wildlife park, the other is on nearby farmland.

Their arrival has not been without controversy and for almost two years protesters tried to halt Triodos's planning application. But in April 2009, after appeals and hearings before a planning inspector and deputy high court judge, the main objectors from the Benacre Estate and Gisleham Parish Council lost their fight

James Vaccaro, managing director of Triodos, believes the Kessingland turbines can now set a precedent for more small scale wind farms across the country. He said: 'We are delighted with the way everything is coming together – for the company, its shareholders and the public – in Kessingland. Success here reflects our track record of good asset management, and presages further small and mid-scale wind farm development elsewhere in the UK. Our ongoing investment pipeline in this sector demonstrates our wholesale commitment to good planning, sustainable technology, community engagement and an excellent return for the 4,000 individuals who own shares, the largest shareholder group of its kind in the UK.'

Triodos will sell the power generated by the twin turbines to the Grid under the UK government's feed-in tariff scheme which was introduced in February last year. Matthew Clayton, operations director for the site, said: 'Kessingland wind farm project is an exciting investment, fitting well with our portfolio and strategy. It represents 13pc growth in Triodos Renewables' capacity. The connection with Africa Alive provides a great opportunity to educate individuals about the reality and benefits of renewable energy.'

lauren.rogers@archant.co.uk