2. BackgroundBackground
• Global warming – we all need to reduce COGlobal warming – we all need to reduce CO22 outputoutput
from our activitiesfrom our activities
• UK Target = 20% reduction in 1990 COUK Target = 20% reduction in 1990 CO22 levels bylevels by
20102010
• South West Target = 11-15% of electricity fromSouth West Target = 11-15% of electricity from
renewable sourcesrenewable sources
• Dependence on finite fossil fuels & increasingDependence on finite fossil fuels & increasing
energy costsenergy costs
• UK is Europe’s windiest country - average meanUK is Europe’s windiest country - average mean
wind speeds >7m/s (18mph)wind speeds >7m/s (18mph)
3. Imperative for TheImperative for The
Bristol Port Company toBristol Port Company to
develop a localdevelop a local
renewable energyrenewable energy
source to supply portsource to supply port
demanddemand
The AnswerThe Answer
4. Outline of ProposalsOutline of Proposals
• Erect 3 wind turbines (up to 3 MW),Erect 3 wind turbines (up to 3 MW), includingincluding
associated bases and cablesassociated bases and cables
• Construct control building & access waysConstruct control building & access ways
• Combined 9 MW = up to 75% of port’s electricityCombined 9 MW = up to 75% of port’s electricity
demanddemand
• Development site is 8.5 hectares of reclaimedDevelopment site is 8.5 hectares of reclaimed
land in Avonmouth Dockland in Avonmouth Dock
• Adjacent to Severn EstuaryAdjacent to Severn Estuary
6. Site Selection - AlternativesSite Selection - Alternatives
• 9 potential locations short-listed and tested9 potential locations short-listed and tested
against 3 key factors:against 3 key factors:
– Wind generating potentialWind generating potential
– Aviation safety (Filton Airfeld)Aviation safety (Filton Airfeld)
– Possible impacts on birds using the estuaryPossible impacts on birds using the estuary
• This location in Avonmouth Docks was identifiedThis location in Avonmouth Docks was identified
as optimum siteas optimum site
• Turbine location finely adjusted to not interfereTurbine location finely adjusted to not interfere
with air safety & bird migration routeswith air safety & bird migration routes
9. Environmental IssuesEnvironmental Issues
• Geology/Ground ConditionsGeology/Ground Conditions
• Hydrology/HydrogeologyHydrology/Hydrogeology
• EcologyEcology
• Landscape and visual impactsLandscape and visual impacts
• ArchaeologyArchaeology
• Traffic and transportTraffic and transport
• Noise and vibrationNoise and vibration
• TelecommunicationsTelecommunications
• Air trafficAir traffic
• Marine navigationMarine navigation
10. Landscape and VisualLandscape and Visual
ImpactsImpacts
• Evaluate effect on local landscapeEvaluate effect on local landscape
• Turbines located in low-lying, heavily industrialisedTurbines located in low-lying, heavily industrialised
landscape, with many tall structures & buildingslandscape, with many tall structures & buildings
• Landform, structures & woodlands restrict visibilityLandform, structures & woodlands restrict visibility
• Turbines will be visible from:Turbines will be visible from:
– Avonmouth Village (partial, restricted views, changeAvonmouth Village (partial, restricted views, change
inevitable in places)inevitable in places)
– Pill (noticeable, but not intrusive)Pill (noticeable, but not intrusive)
– Higher elevations e.g. Lawrence Weston & ShirehamptonHigher elevations e.g. Lawrence Weston & Shirehampton
(more visible, but distant & panoramic, not intrusive)(more visible, but distant & panoramic, not intrusive)
12. Ecology and BirdsEcology and Birds
• No valuable habitats on site, but next to SevernNo valuable habitats on site, but next to Severn
Estuary SPA, SSSI and Ramsar siteEstuary SPA, SSSI and Ramsar site
• Ecological surveys to inform assessment of impactsEcological surveys to inform assessment of impacts
on wildlife, includingon wildlife, including
– Extended Phase 1 habitat surveyExtended Phase 1 habitat survey
– Bird surveys (e.g. High tide/low tide counts, night time,Bird surveys (e.g. High tide/low tide counts, night time,
migration and breeding surveys)migration and breeding surveys)
• Key potential impacts on birds are Disturbance &Key potential impacts on birds are Disturbance &
CollisionsCollisions
• With mitigation no adverse impact duringWith mitigation no adverse impact during
constructionconstruction
• 5 years monitoring (review in 2 years)5 years monitoring (review in 2 years)
14. ArchaeologyArchaeology
• Assessment of archaeological remains in theAssessment of archaeological remains in the
vicinity of the development site:vicinity of the development site:
– Terrestrial archaeologyTerrestrial archaeology
– Maritime archaeology and historic activityMaritime archaeology and historic activity
• Borehole assessmentBorehole assessment
• No known sites or monuments affected by theNo known sites or monuments affected by the
developmentdevelopment
• Construction of turbines includes 30 metre pilesConstruction of turbines includes 30 metre piles
into made groundinto made ground
• Mitigation/Monitoring – archaeological recordingMitigation/Monitoring – archaeological recording
16. Balance of EffectsBalance of Effects
• No major adverse environmental impactsNo major adverse environmental impacts
• Potential disturbance of SPA birds and changedPotential disturbance of SPA birds and changed
views from areas of Avonmouth Villageviews from areas of Avonmouth Village
• All other negative impacts avoided or reduced byAll other negative impacts avoided or reduced by
mitigation and design measuresmitigation and design measures
• 17-26% of south west’s renewable energy target17-26% of south west’s renewable energy target
• Provision of up to 75% of Port’s electricityProvision of up to 75% of Port’s electricity
• Significant reduction in green house gassesSignificant reduction in green house gasses
(18,319 tonnes CO(18,319 tonnes CO22 /plus SO/plus SO22 & NO& NOxx))
17. Construction & OperationConstruction & Operation
• Construction end 2006Construction end 2006
• Construction programmeConstruction programme
about 36 weeksabout 36 weeks
• In operation this time inIn operation this time in
20072007
• Operational life of 25 yearsOperational life of 25 years
• Turbines then eitherTurbines then either
replaced, refurbished orreplaced, refurbished or
removed & site reinstatedremoved & site reinstated
18. The Way ForwardThe Way Forward
• BPC agreement with Ecotricity who will construct,BPC agreement with Ecotricity who will construct,
own and operate the turbinesown and operate the turbines
• BPC provided with energy for life of turbinesBPC provided with energy for life of turbines
• ““Overspill” electricity is publicly available - seeOverspill” electricity is publicly available - see ((
http://www.ecotricity.co.ukhttp://www.ecotricity.co.uk))
• We all need to do more to tackle global warmingWe all need to do more to tackle global warming
problemproblem
• Wind turbines can contribute to the renewableWind turbines can contribute to the renewable
energy solutionenergy solution