A FARM of the future with a £25,000 turbine to generate its own electricity was unveiled in Monmouthshire yesterday.

Pen-y-Werlod farm in Llanvetherine, near Abergavenny is home to consultancy firm Miller Research (UK) Ltd, who combine business with rearing 200 organic sheep.

Their new 50 foot (15m) tall turbine is capable of generating more than enough electricity to meet the entire annual power requirements of the farm and business.

It will be able to generate about 11,000kW (kilowatts) a year, which equates to the annual needs of three average homes.

The business currently uses 10,000kW a year so an excess worth over £1,000 per annum will be sold to the National Grid.

The wind turbine, which has a life expectancy of 20 years, should pay for itself in ten to 15 years depending on future energy costs.

Established in 1995 Miller Research (UK), employs seven full-time staff.

Director of the company, Nick Miller, said the decision to install the turbine was in part to encourage other people's thinking towards sustainability, but also to reduce costs and the company's carbon footprint.

He said: "This is a very positive demonstration of our own commitment to sustainability.

"We have been looking into the possibility of installing the turbine for quite some time, as we are a values-driven company.

"The project has been very well received locally, especially from the farming community who are also very interested in reducing costs in the face of rising energy prices. I think this can catch on."

The wind turbine was sourced from Proven Energy Ltd, in Kilmarnock, Scotland, and unveiled yesterday by Assembly Minister for Environment, Jane Davidson.

She said: "Projects like this demonstrate what businesses can do to generate their own low-carbon energy, to reduce costs and help tackle climate change."