Scenic Chelker Reservoir is the ideal place for generating wind power, says the company behind plans for bigger wind turbines.

Kelda Water says the four ageing wind turbines on site are ‘worn out’ and operating at a tiny percentage of their intended capacity.

But three proposed 80 metre high structures would operate 85 per cent of the time, taking advantage of the windy, exposed location to generate enough electricity to power two water pumping stations.

The Yorkshire Water sister company offered to show a reporter around the site this week, explaining the problems of the rusted, existing 45 metre high turbines.

Kelda Water’s Mark Fox, pictured, who recently held public consultation sessions, said: “The parts have been worn out, they’ve reached the end of their life.”

Constructed in 1991, the turbines were in their day one of only three sets in the UK, and were of a prototype design.

The blades have been removed from two of them, and the other two are both out of action.

Mr Fox says newer turbines would provide enough electricity needed for the Chelker Reservoir and nearby Lob Wood pumping stations, pumping water to many homes in the Skipton and Ilkley areas.

“It was and is still an important site to us. It’s the ideal place, where there’s very open countryside,” said Mr Fox.

New turbines would work with wind speeds of just a few miles per hour, he said, and the top of the structure could be turned to catch the wind.

Each turbine would cost up to £1.2million to build, although the company would save on power for the pumping stations. Mr Fox does not predict there being much surplus electricity.

Any extra produced could be transferred to the national grid.

The company is carrying out ecological assessments as it prepares to submit a planning application to Craven District Council. A previous plan by Yorkshire Water was rejected by the council last year.

Kelda’s plans came under fire from members of Addingham parish council last Wednesday.

Councillor Gordon Campbell said: “The three new ones will generate far more electricity than they need for the pumping stations, and the rest will go into the national grid, and be a revenue stream. They’ll sell it.”

There was also concern that turbines are frequently standing doing nothing, with no wind to turn the blades.

Coun Andrew Scull, however, asked if it was the council’s place to comment on these wider issues.

Councillors heard that the majority of the 60 people who attended the sessions were positive about the scheme. The council is awaiting a planning application before it makes any official response.