THE German company from which a wind power project near St Briavels has ordered its turbine has run into insolvency problems – but the group behind the scheme say it will still be delivered on time if not before.

Resilient Energy Great Dunkilns (REGD) plc has successfully agreed a way forward with PowerWind GmbH, the German manufacturer contracted to build its turbine, to be sited on Great Dunkilns Farm.

"I received confirmation of the contract today," said one of the originators of the scheme, Andrew Clarke.

There had been a possible delay when PowerWind informed REGD that it had started preliminary proceedings in the insolvency court of Hamburg to put in place measures to allow it to restructure the company.

"PowerWind said the action was necessary as a result of substantial delays in payments from projects in Southern and Eastern Europe. It has now confirmed that the restructuring is proceeding successfully," said Mr Clarke, who is working with his wife Sue on the project in partnership with local landowners and with local investment.

REGD says additional assurances are in place to make sure all its needs are met.

"This good news ensures that our plans for renewable energy projects in the Forest of Dean are back on track including the benefits these should generate in terms of community funds and local investor returns," said Mr Clarke from the Woolaston-based Resilience Centre which is coordinating the enterprise.

"If we can develop just a quarter of our electricity from locally owned, invested and built renewable energy here in the Forest of Dean we can deliver, year on year to the Forest of Dean economy, the same money as the area receives from the whole of tourism.

"If done sympathetically the two are not mutually exclusive and can be supportive of a truly sustainable local economy. Together we can make a significant difference to the quality of life for people here in the Forest by keeping our money local and once again being independent for our energy needs."

Work on the Resilience Centre's other projects – Resilient Energy Severndale, Alvington Court, Alnwick Grange and Nurshill – are still forging ahead.