CAR manufacturer Nissan will build seven wind turbines at its North-East plant.
The company was granted permission by Sunderland City Council yesterday to build the turbines, which will provide 7.5 per cent of the electricity needed at the plant in Washington, Wearside.
The council decided the local habitat would be relatively unaffected by the turbines, which would be 51 metres high.
The council favours schemes involving renewable energy, in line with a regional strategy of achieving ten per cent of renewable electricity by 2010 and 20 per cent by 2020.
John Whyte, the head of planning and environment at the council, said: "These seven new turbines will provide the factory with a significant amount of electricity, increasing its competitive edge and taking away some of the burden from the National Grid.
"At the same time, it will reduce the amount of greenhouse gases which are a product of conventional energy production, further enhancing Nissan's green credentials as regards conservation and waste minimisation."
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