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Massive wind turbine planned for city
9:00am Wednesday 12th December 2007
By Peter Law »
Click here to see the bigger picture
A GIANT wind turbine - almost double the size of Southampton Civic Centre clock tower - could be built in a mystery location in the city.
“It would be a landmark and some people would love it and some people would hate it, but the real benefit would be the 1,500 residents who’d get reduced energy bills.”
Councillor Gavin Dick
The enormous turbine - one of the biggest in the country - could soar a staggering 85m (279ft) into the sky, with rotating blades stretching 33m (108ft).
It's not the only turbine being considered for the city with plans to install one at every school.
Its location is being kept secret for commercial reasons. However the Daily Echo can reveal a windy, spacious site on the northern edge of the city has already been identified.
The single two megawatt turbine - potentially an iconic landmark in the south - would power up to 1,500 Southampton homes and mean cheaper power bills.
With a full public consultation to be launched in six months, the giant turbine - half the height of Portsmouth's Spinnaker Tower - could be spinning as early as 2009.
After conducting a survey of Southampton, the Energy Saving Trust yesterday singled out the secret site where it wants to build the giant turbine.
The tower would be installed at no cost to taxpayers and the energy consumption would be split between the city and the not for profit organisation.
The council would then be able to sell its 50 per cent share of power to either homes or small businesses.
The exact size will depend on wind speeds and wind generation in the area, but the council wants to build as big as possible and is looking to replicate the success of the 85m turbine on the M4 at Reading.
Councillor Gavin Dick, Cabinet member for Environment and Transport, pictured below, said: "This survey will determine the site of the turbine, but obviously we are looking to get the maximum energy consumption out of any turbine that is installed in the city.
"We will take into consideration the surrounding area, the views of residents and obviously there will be consultation with the city.
"It would be a landmark and some people would love it and some people would hate it, but the real benefit would be the 1,500 residents who'd get reduced energy bills."
In an effort to make Southampton the greenest city in the country, the council also wants 35 schools in the city to install their wind turbines to supply their own energy.
Cllr Dick added: "All the money that will be saved will be then be put back into education and they can spend more money on teaching the children."
To boost the number of residential wind turbines on roofs of city homes, the council will also scrap the £265 planning application fee.
The announcement comes days after the government revealed plans for every home in the UK to be powered by 7,000 offshore turbines by 2020.
Cllr Dick said the council was not looking at offshore wind farms because of the disruption it would cause to busy shipping lanes leading into the port.
Your Say YourEcho
Hiram Hackenbacker, Tracey Island says...
9:36am Wed 12 Dec 07
I remember that Nuclear was to provide cheap(er) energy. Happy with a wind solution but wish those planning it would stop lying about future energy costs. The only way is up.
Harry Remmington, New Forest says...
9:38am Wed 12 Dec 07
The Echo seem to "reveal" a daily dose of nonsense stories without any rational editorial comment.
A Southampton resident, says...
9:39am Wed 12 Dec 07
Come on Cllr Dick. Wake up and smell the coffee. Surely you don't believe that, do you? Because we, the Southampton residents, are not going to be taken in by your promises.
A turbine like the one you propose will provide electricity at best for around 10% of the time. For the remaing time, it will need to be backed up by power from an oil, gas, coal or nuclear powered station.
An offshore wind farm is not suitable for the south coast but a tidal powered scheme most certainly would be. Please Cllr Dick - do not try and dream up your own ideas, you are just not up to it. Copy someone else's instead. Check out the Swansea tidal lagoons, Severn Barrage and Lynmouth marine current turbine to name just a few.
Waiting, says...
9:39am Wed 12 Dec 07
bemused onlooker, Southampton says...
9:44am Wed 12 Dec 07
last one out..., Romsey says...
9:44am Wed 12 Dec 07
In The Know, SOTON says...
10:02am Wed 12 Dec 07
Sparky, says...
10:03am Wed 12 Dec 07
I didn't realise that SCC were in the business of supplying electricity. So how does Mr. Dick intend on fairly passing on these savings?
Surely as So'ton residents and tax-payers, we all should benefit, not just a select few.
gladstone, Southampton says...
10:05am Wed 12 Dec 07
But maybe the technology will improve or these sites will be particularly good. Can't help thinking though that they will be more symbolic than practical buut that's not always a bad thing.
Perhaps a more practical approach would be to ensure that schools are energy efficient and have decent insulation. This will be covered by the Government's Building Schools for the Future programme unless, of course, the "green" Conservatives win the next genearl election as David Cameron has pledged to cut this programme.
deb havard, eastleigh says...
10:06am Wed 12 Dec 07
Power Pup, says...
10:09am Wed 12 Dec 07
A windy site north of the city - any predictions? If its within the city boundaries there aren't many options.
sheitma pance, Soton says...
10:15am Wed 12 Dec 07
deb havard wrote:i hadn't thought of that. who wood benefit from such a project? i can only think that it is the yaughting fraternity that is behind this proposal as they are the only people i can think of that wood like it more windy.
this isn\'t a good idea, it\'s windy enough as it is it is whithout a massive wind terbine blowing across southampton, clothes driving on the line with be only good think. How are these terbines powered? electric presumablley. and whos going to pay for it? we are.. why dont the make some sola panels instead?
once again its going to be the taxpayer picking up the bill to power this thing.
Apologetic, Southampton says...
10:17am Wed 12 Dec 07
deb havard wrote:I am sorry for having been taken-in. I genuinely though you were stupid and illiterate. I see now that I am the stupid one for being narked by a troll.
this isn't a good idea, it's windy enough as it is it is whithout a massive wind terbine blowing across southampton, clothes driving on the line with be only good think. How are these terbines powered? electric presumablley. and whos going to pay for it? we are.. why dont the make some sola panels instead?
Oh Flatulent One, Swamptown says...
10:19am Wed 12 Dec 07
deb havard wrote:Every now and then one gets a brief glimpse of the the darker side of humour....
this isn't a good idea, it's windy enough as it is it is whithout a massive wind terbine blowing across southampton, clothes driving on the line with be only good think. How are these terbines powered? electric presumablley. and whos going to pay for it? we are.. why dont the make some sola panels instead?
A wind turbine is powered by wind and generates electricity, not the other way round!!!
I can only hope you were trying to be funny???
Geothermal?, says...
10:28am Wed 12 Dec 07
May be I'm being cynical but I have a sneaking suspicion that there is some kind of grant available here, a target to be met, or at the most a PR opportunity. But cheap clean power to benefit a majority of the city's residents and businesses? No, not here.
I wonder if there's a fact-finding trip being offered by Acme Wind Turbines to interested politicos....some where warm and not too windy.
Da-na-na-na-na, Grammar-man!! says...
10:40am Wed 12 Dec 07
sheitma pance wrote:To both of you; if you're going to attempt humour, at least try and spell and punctuate properly. The punchline (if that's what you call it) is rather lost if you have to spend half the time reading it, trying to decipher what you've written.
deb havard wrote: this isn\'t a good idea, it\'s windy enough as it is it is whithout a massive wind terbine blowing across southampton, clothes driving on the line with be only good think. How are these terbines powered? electric presumablley. and whos going to pay for it? we are.. why dont the make some sola panels instead?i hadn't thought of that. who wood benefit from such a project? i can only think that it is the yaughting fraternity that is behind this proposal as they are the only people i can think of that wood like it more windy. once again its going to be the taxpayer picking up the bill to power this thing.
gladstone, Southampton says...
10:47am Wed 12 Dec 07
Geothermal? wrote:We do benefit from geothermal heat and power. Much of the city centre, including West Quay and the Civic Centre, are heated this way. It's unlikely that wind power from one turbine will meet the energy needs of the whole city. But should we rule out any ideas unless they solve the whole problem? There's a place for cynicism but sometimes you have to have a little trust.
I thought we were all going to benefit massively from geothermal energy, with combined heat and power. May be I\'m being cynical but I have a sneaking suspicion that there is some kind of grant available here, a target to be met, or at the most a PR opportunity. But cheap clean power to benefit a majority of the city\'s residents and businesses? No, not here. I wonder if there\'s a fact-finding trip being offered by Acme Wind Turbines to interested politicos....some where warm and not too windy.
E Word, says...
10:51am Wed 12 Dec 07
To both of you: if you're going to attempt humour, at least try to spell and punctuate properly. The punchline (if that's what you call it) is rather lost if one has to spend half the time reading it, trying to decipher what you've written.
Some corrections as above. Style and sentence construction were also poor. Come back when you are worthy of your title. k, thx, bye.
Sheitma Pance, Soton says...
11:04am Wed 12 Dec 07
do the opiniuns of dislecsics not count?
Dan Druff, says...
11:12am Wed 12 Dec 07
Da-na-na-na-na, Grammar-man!! says...
11:37am Wed 12 Dec 07
E Word wrote:I'm back! I think you're just nit-picking, E Word. Espcially given your close "k, thx, bye".
To both of you: if you're going to attempt humour, at least try to spell and punctuate properly. The punchline (if that's what you call it) is rather lost if one has to spend half the time reading it, trying to decipher what you've written.Some corrections as above. Style and sentence construction were also poor. Come back when you are worthy of your title. k, thx, bye.
Could do better. See me after class.
Da-na-na-na-na, Grammar-man!! says...
11:40am Wed 12 Dec 07
Da-na-na-na-na wrote:Arsegrapes. I never said I was "Spelling Man ", did I? The correct spelling should have been "Especially". Forgive me people.
E Word wrote:I'm back! I think you're just nit-picking, E Word. Espcially given your close "k, thx, bye". Could do better. See me after class.To both of you: if you're going to attempt humour, at least try to spell and punctuate properly. The punchline (if that's what you call it) is rather lost if one has to spend half the time reading it, trying to decipher what you've written.Some corrections as above. Style and sentence construction were also poor. Come back when you are worthy of your title. k, thx, bye.
Another Denzil, Not quite Romsey says...
12:21pm Wed 12 Dec 07
Sheitma Pance wrote:In your case, no.
why have a go at my spelling?
do the opiniuns of dislecsics not count?
Phil the Sceptic, Winchester says...
12:37pm Wed 12 Dec 07
Fulloffedupness, Southampton says...
1:28pm Wed 12 Dec 07
We could combine everything that typifies Southampton into one iconic structure...
The Tower should look like a Spitfire on it's tail, with the wings rotating to turn the turbine, it should be sited on the site of the proposed travellers camp. The tower should be built in such a way as to create an apartment block, and fill the flats with students and young single mothers...and the electricity should be used to provide power for an ice rink! Any surplus electricity could be used to power fences around some of the more notorious areas to keep the residents in.
Sorted!!
Andy Pandy, Chandlers ford says...
1:37pm Wed 12 Dec 07
The airport means it cant go to Bassett, and the Nibys would play up if it went to Chilworth!
The Turbine at Reading is nick Named "he Demon of the South" and is an Elegant looking Turbine, however the Corn Grinding Windmill at Bursledon is a machine of beauty and grace, that can be seen working by Wind on demonstration days, so why should a 300 ft high turbine not produce electricity in the City.
Bring it on and more .... Based at the bottom end of the M3, or at Rownhams, this would look far better then the Mobile phone towers at Toot Hill and would attract interest!
And don't forget to put one in Chandlers Ford too !
Robert, says...
2:34pm Wed 12 Dec 07
There's no lack of well-heeled Conservative supporters up there who'll be willing to have it in their garden.
And it can be called "The Dick Turbine". Never down or out.
Lindsay Story, southampton says...
3:02pm Wed 12 Dec 07
"perhaps", "possibly" etc.,. Howabout "will",
"shall" , "decided". Just a thought...
Loed Ikea, Ikeaville says...
4:02pm Wed 12 Dec 07
Andy, Locks Heath says...
4:03pm Wed 12 Dec 07
On the subject of wind turbines, it is axiomatic that they cannot be relied upon to meet continuous energy demand, because the wind does not always blow; therefore a base of around ten to fifteen nuclear stations would also be required to guarantee that base load. And once the nuclear stations are built you don't need the wind turbines - a simple paradox with a simple solution obvious to all except the craven fools in the Government.
Another "debate" anyone? In fact anything to avoid having to make a decision to build the much needed new stations.
Sheitma Pance, Soton says...
4:06pm Wed 12 Dec 07
Power Pup, says...
4:22pm Wed 12 Dec 07
On the subject of wind turbines, it is axiomatic that they cannot be relied upon to meet continuous energy demand, because the wind does not always blow; therefore a base of around ten to fifteen nuclear stations would also be required to guarantee that base load.
If we have power to meet the base load, what happens when the wind isn't blowing ? We need some other sources to meet peak loads, e.g. pumped storage hydro, gas, and oil.
Otherwise you'll have industrial load shedding, brown-outs and black-outs. Yes, the lights will go off if we insist on this ludicrous Wind Farm lie.
King Mush, Woolston says...
4:35pm Wed 12 Dec 07
Likewise - all these numptied being suckered into having solar panels fitted in THIS SUN-STARVED COUNTRY!!
Global warming con-tricks all around.
Carbon footprints too? lol
Just one active volcano spouts billions of tons of noxious gases into the atmosphere plus the new Asian economies who laugh at us stupid Westerners.
Wakey wakey world!
Costa Baz, says...
4:41pm Wed 12 Dec 07
Red Rooster, Sholing says...
4:43pm Wed 12 Dec 07
HOW GENEROUS.
Gunga Din, St Marys says...
4:55pm Wed 12 Dec 07
Farty Fart Pants, says...
5:18pm Wed 12 Dec 07
The Rt Hon B. Igcock, Member of the House of Commons, House of Commons says...
5:24pm Wed 12 Dec 07
Farty Fart Pants wrote:Nothing funny about it at all, actually!
What an unfortunate name... Cllr Dick
Old Git, Southampton says...
7:29pm Wed 12 Dec 07
I guess someone has been using Dick as a problem-solving organ, again.
Sydnee Guff Pants, SOUTH says...
8:09pm Wed 12 Dec 07
There were some 'suits' there a couple of weeks ago sussing the location out.
Sailor Steve, Chandler's Ford says...
9:31pm Wed 12 Dec 07
What planet are these elected idiots on? Wind power is green but it is currently the most expensive option for generating electricity (three times nuclear). This means that the lucky 1500 householders will see their bills virtually triple if they pay the full cost per kWh!
windy pants, says...
10:40pm Wed 12 Dec 07
Save money, Pah, never heard such lies.
Ian R, North Baddesley says...
12:32am Thu 13 Dec 07
anon, Totton says...
3:40am Thu 13 Dec 07
deb havard wrote:It won't produce more wind, you need to do a little research before putting stupid comments like this.
this isn\\\'t a good idea, it\\\'s windy enough as it is it is whithout a massive wind terbine blowing across southampton, clothes driving on the line with be only good think. How are these terbines powered? electric presumablley. and whos going to pay for it? we are.. why dont the make some sola panels instead?
"How are those turbines powered" It's called a WIND TURBINE, there may be a clue in the name!!
Denmark is one of the cleanest countries in Europe and there are many turbines there, trust me their washing does not dry faster than yours!
WINDY, GOSPORT says...
6:46am Thu 13 Dec 07
hmm, says...
7:50am Thu 13 Dec 07
WINDY wrote:Where is that, Reading?
anyone who has taken notice of the weather over the last 3 days would
notice there has not been enough wind for one revolution of a wind
turbine,Last weekend no doubt it would have been going like the
proverbial, however I don't believe there are batteries big enough to
store the electricity yet. there is a similar rather large one on the
side of the m4 before you enter London, I don't think I've ever seen it
moving.
tucanofulano, USA says...
6:48am Mon 7 Jan 08
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hmm, says...
9:25am Wed 12 Dec 07