Turbine plan blown off course by lack of wind
The number of wind turbines being planned for the city has been drastically cut because it is not windy enough.
Because Leicester sits in a natural bowl, experts said few areas would be suitable for generating green energy.
-
A turbine with viewing platform – like this one – is possible
Leicester City Council has tested wind speeds and soil at six sites to see whether they could support turbines up to 450ft tall.
They were in Western Park, Beaumont Park, Castle Hill Park and Ashton Green – all in Beaumont Leys – as well as Humberstone Heights golf course, near Hamilton, and further land near Western Park golf course, in Braunstone Frith.
Council leader Ross Willmott said experts employed by the authority had found the north of the city was probably the only suitable area. The Mercury believes Ashton Green and Castle Hill Park will be the only original sites left.
Coun Willmott said: "The matter was discussed at a meeting between members and officers.
"Professional advice suggests that only one turbine would make sense and therefore the council should only be looking for one site.
"This means that most of the sites previously highlighted as potential locations for a wind turbine have been ruled out.
"It is still one of our aspirations, but this is not a quick thing and would not be done without a long and detailed consultation with the public."
Coun Willmott said the authority would still consider a wind turbine with a viewing platform at its top, which could double as a tourist attraction and educational experience.
The council has pledged to obtain 20 per cent of its energy from local renewable sources by 2025.
A single two-megawatt turbine would cost more than £3 million and would produce enough energy for about 1,000 homes every year.
The turbines would probably be higher than Leicester's tallest building, the BT exchange in Wharf Street South, which is 275ft high.
Green campaigners said the council should go for quality not quantity.
Malcolm Hunter, Leicester spokesman for Friends of the Earth, said: "It is good that they are following professional advice as you do not want turbines for the sake of it if they are not efficient.
"I would hope the council will continue to look for sites as wind power is mature technology for creating green energy at the moment."
The turbines would be paid for from a mix of council funds and investment from the private sector.
When installed, energy could be sold to the National Grid or provided solely for households in Leicester.
At the moment, a small fraction of power to heat city homes and businesses comes from green energy.
15 Comments
View all
by Martin, Leicester
Friday, March 20 2009, 9:11AM
“Go see the film 'Age of Stupid'”
by Michael Stiff, Hamilton
Wednesday, March 18 2009, 3:36PM
“Leicester City Council does seem to be fixated on wind power as its renewable energy solution.
The case for wind turbines in this country is borderline at best. The resources and costs incurred manufacturing and running turbines can outweigh the power delivered. Add to this the negative visual impact and this solution must be seriously in doubt.
An alternative I've seen described recently is wood burning. The Forestry Commission back this plan. Wood is the original renewable energy. Highly efficient burners mean that net carbon emmissions can be reduced by 90% compared to fossil fuels. To fuel the burners we have to plant trees (which consume the CO2 produced) and I'm sure we would all love to see a forest of trees rather than a forest of wind turbines. Trees are quieter too.
Googling Forestry Commission woodburning should yield links to some cases and research.
Leicester City Council already burn waste at the Beaumont Leys waster recycling plant, so this is not such a big step.
The centralised production of energy could also be replaced or supplemented by local initiatives such as woodburning at schools and hospitals. I believe this has already been done in a few places in Scotland and Cumbria where wood is plentiful and locally sourced.
What options has Leicester City Council considered and, what expert opinions did they seek on this ?”
by iang, Leicester
Wednesday, March 18 2009, 2:56PM
“I reckon more energy will go into making it and maintaining it than comes out of it, they just make some feel better when they justify their expenses paid for trips!”
by thompson, Leicester
Wednesday, March 18 2009, 2:53PM
“Try the Councel meetings plenty of wind there and hot air”
by Ren Hoek, Leicester
Wednesday, March 18 2009, 2:11PM
“What do they mean it's not windy enough? I've noticed it's been much windier since they been putting up those huge 500ft fans everywhere! It must cost a fortune to run them too. Perhaps they should switch them off and save the electricity. That'd be much greener.”
by Michael Stiff, Hamilton
Wednesday, March 18 2009, 1:31PM
“The wind turbine which recently appeared at the new Gateway College at Hamilton is just a few hundred yards from the Humberstone Heights golf course site.
If the Humberstone Heights site is unsuitable, the Gateway College site is unsuitable, so someone has wasted a lot of money.
Can Councillor Willmott or the Leicester Mercury tell us who paid for the Gateway turbine and what background information was used to make the decision to proceed.
It will be useful to see who we can hold to account for this.”
by Paul, Hamilton
Wednesday, March 18 2009, 1:10PM
“Does that mean the new wind turbine at Gateway college is a complete waste of time?
Also the 1000 homes quote- is this a 1000 homes continously? 50% of the day 25% of the day? Does the power station run? how much CO2 does it really save?”
by A-typical Countryside dweller, UK, reading the Daily Mail
Wednesday, March 18 2009, 12:57PM
“I'm all for green energy but I don't want to do anything about it and I don't want to see wind turbines since I think it will de-value my property and cause a noise nusance, even if miles away. I couldn't care less about my childrens future and value looking at a clear skyline over sustainable energy.
tl; dr I moan that much about everything my commets should be disregarded at the point my vocal chords vibrate the air in my throat.”
by Darius, Thornton
Wednesday, March 18 2009, 12:52PM
“Wilmott really doesn't like listening to anyone does he? what a disgrace. The worst thing is that wind turbines dont even generate that much electricity so we would need loads of them which would destroy the beautiful countryside around our county. I have a suggestion to resolve the issue, courteousy of Ian's post, lets put them in council offices where all the hot air and useless wind generated could provide electricity to the whole of Leicestershire!”
by EarthCube, Knighton
Wednesday, March 18 2009, 10:56AM
“Why is Ross Willmott advocating public consultation on this when he not bothered at all about the effect of Pennbury on his constituents? I've no doubt that the Co-Op will be involved in the Wind Turbine scheme. I recall the CoOp have a 'community' wind turbine somewhre in Oxfordshire.”