The Bristol Port Company proposed erecting 3 wind turbines at their site in Avonmouth Dock to supply up to 75% of the port's electricity from renewable sources. An environmental assessment found the optimal turbine location had low visual and wildlife impacts. While some increased visibility was found from nearby villages, mitigation measures ensured no major adverse effects. The project would make a significant contribution to the UK's renewable energy targets while reducing CO2 emissions. Construction was planned to begin in 2006.

1. Patrick KearonPatrick Kearon
The Bristol Port CompanyThe Bristol Port Company

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

5. Site LocationSite Location

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

7. The Preferred SiteThe Preferred Site

8. Typical Wind Turbine DimensionsTypical Wind Turbine Dimensions
Hub height
85 metres
279 feet
Rotor diameter
70 metres (35m
radius)
120m
393 ft

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)

11. Photomontage of LandscapePhotomontage of Landscape

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)

13. Bird MovementsBird Movements

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

15. Historic MappingHistoric Mapping

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