Wind turbine plans announced
03.08.08
Bristol Airport is finalising plans to install a wind turbine as part of a number of measures to improve energy efficiency and cut its emissions. The airport wants to build a 20-metre (65-foot) turbine, lower than the airfield's light columns, between the old and new terminals. Feasibility studies are under way, the the plan part of the airport's moves to improve its green credentials as it prepares to submit an application to massively expand its operations.
The turbine proposed would create about 1.5-million kilowatt hours of clean energy each year – about 10% of the airport's total power usage. When the studies are complete, the airport will consult North Somerset Council to move the plans forward.
An airport spokesman said: ‘We understand the turbine may not need a planning application, but we are seeking clarification and hope to install the turbine before the end of the year. If the current plans are given the go ahead more turbines of the same size could be built.'
The airport is also keen to work with local companies on ways to enable cooking oil to be recycled into fuel for its ground vehicles. Restaurants and cafes at Bristol International currently produce around 270 litres of waste cooking oil every week. A bio-mass boiler, which would burn waste from local timber merchants to heat the terminal, is also under consideration.
The plans come as the airport finalises its £80m expansion plans. In November, it is expected to submit a detailed planning application to North Somerset Council as part of a bid to increase passenger numbers from 6 million a year at present to 9 million a year by 2015. Flights to and from the hub make up 0.4% of the West's carbon emissions, and could rise to 0.7% by 2015 if the proposed expansion goes ahead.
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