TWO giant wind turbines could soon be built next to the M4 – and could be used to power a new supercomputer.
They would be able to generate 8.5 megawatts of renewable energy – enough to power 6,000 homes.
But because of a “bottleneck” in connecting new energy projects to the National Grid, power could be instead be supplied directly to the Bristol and Bath Science Park in Emersons Green, to power the new Bristol University Isambard-AI supercomputer, which has just been officially switched on.
South Gloucestershire Council’s cabinet decided in July to lease land it owns between Pucklechurch and Westerleigh for the project.
As well as the turbines, the 228-acre Leigh Farm, between the M4 and Westerleigh Crematorium north of the M4, would be used for planting new woodland and creating plots for traveller caravans.
The turbines would be set up by the Bristol Energy Network, a renewable energy organisation, with a grant from the West of England Combined Authority.
The council cabinet meeting heard current constraints on the National Grid mean the power could not immediately be fed into the electricity supply network, as there is a bottleneck of developers trying to connect new solar farms and wind turbines.
Instead the turbines could be connected directly to the Bristol and Bath Science Park with a “private wire” for delivering power to the Isambard-AI computer next to the National Composites Centre, which was officially opened in July.
A report to the cabinet said it could be up to 12 years before the turbines could be connected to the grid, which meant the alternative option is “likely to be required”.
There are still several other hurdles to overcome, including going through the planning process for the turbines, which would be in an area between the Westerleigh fuel depot, Leigh Lane and the road from Pucklechurch to Westerleigh.
Council cabinet member for climate Louise Harris said: “This really is our big-ticket item for tackling climate change in South Gloucestershire.
“As it’s being done through a community energy company, the community will be the ones who benefit from this investment.”
Money made from generating power could go back into projects to make energy more affordable in nearby communities, the council says.
The cabinet also agreed to grant a lease to Pucklechurch Parish Council to create a woodland, wildflower meadow and hay meadow in the site, and to create a site for travelling showpeople, which is in the council’s draft Local Plan.
Cllr Harris said: “When it comes to a planning application, if we get that far, it will be discussed and consulted on like any other planning application on anything else.
“Yes, the council owns this land but there are often planning applications involving council-owned land. This will be treated exactly the same as any other planning application.”
One concern is how close the turbines would be to Westerleigh Cemetery and Crematorium, and whether the views would impact people visiting the cemetery.
Council chiefs pledged to consult with the cemetery about these impacts. A site south of the M4 motorway could also be allocated for Gypsy and traveller pitches, and one north of the M4 for travelling showpeople.
The cabinet member with responsibility for council properties, Adam Monk, said the project would support jobs, growth and “increased energy security locally”.
By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service