Bristol seeks wind developers for first UK municipal owned project

Companies have been invited to bid to build Bristol City Council’s two wind turbines at Avonmouth - the first local authority owned wind farm in the country. The council wants to attract major wind developers to enter a new market sector. It is hoped that a contract can be awarded in April, and the wind turbines will be up and running by April 2013. The turbines have a life expectancy of at least 20 years and can produce up to 12,600 MWh per annum, depending on the size of wind turbine chosen. Once built they will save an estimated 6,600 tonnes of carbon per year, and they will cost between £5-6 million, although this will be recovered through savings on the council’s energy bills and sales made on the electricity produced. The site for the turbines is just off Severn Road in Avonmouth on the former Shell oil tank site, which is owned by the council. The coastal setting has good wind exposure and easy links with the national grid. Companies wishing to find out more detail about the tender process for the project should click here.