wiltshire community wind energy first south wiltshire meeting 17 th july 2008 united reformed church...
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Wiltshire Community Wind Energy
First South Wiltshire Meeting
17th July 2008United Reformed ChurchFisherton StreetSalisbury
Jack Mason
My daughter Amy at Westmill Wind Farm, Watchfield, South Oxfordshire on Saturday 3rd May
Thank you for coming
I'm Jack Mason I live in Trowbridge and work in Bradford on
Avon – in flood defence and environmental projects
First meeting in Salisbury so not sure what to expect!
You should have an Agenda – but chip in where you like
Try to finish by 8.45 if possible but PLEASE add you name to the attendance list
Why start the group?
Background in flood risk, and conscious of future climate change
Lots of positive aspirations regarding wind energy in the county – but only limited progess
Take local responsibility – somebody may come up with a solution – but why not take the initiative?
Real potential to do real good Why are you here?
North Wessex Downs AONB
Cotswolds AONB
Cranbourne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs AONB
Wiltshire
StonehengeWorldHeritageSite
Cranbourne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs AONB
Salisbury Plain SSSIs
River Avon System SSSIs
South Wiltshire
South East Wiltshire – New Tool (Quantum GIS)
Salisbury Plain SSSI
North Wessex Downs AONB
Cotswolds AONB
Avebury World Heritage Site
North Wiltshire
City of BathWorld HeritageSite
Some Figures...
Wiltshire target for renewable energy installation approximately 65 – 85MW by 2010!
Present capacity in Wiltshire about 8MW (almost all landfill gas)
Based on present economics about 75% should be met by wind
But Wiltshire has no significant wind power yet If plan were met then electricity generated
equivalent to 75,000 householdsSources: South West Renewable Energy StrategyWiltshire Renewable Energy Action Plan
How about Salisbury? Salisbury district population about 115,000 in
about 50,000 homes A cluster of say four 1.3MW turbines produce
about 10000 MWh or sufficient for 2100 homes or about 1 in 20 to 1 in 25 of Salisbury District homes electricity!
Similar calculations elsewhere
Financial viability depends on many factors – wind strength, access etc
The Challenges
Lots of misunderstandings – will the lights go out when the wind stops?!
Lack of public understanding breeds fear Simple lack of knowledge with landowners Do we want wind turbines on every hill in
Wiltshire? Certainly not! But landscape and heritage a key issue to many
NIMBY attitude does exist – but there are no easy answers for the future
A Vision?
Wind energy seen as a positive option in Wiltshire by the public
A number of wind clusters constructed with the agreement of local people sensitive to the local environment
Some wind farms owned by the community Smaller wind turbines in schools and colleges,
helping to spread the message Greater understanding of the importance of
energy and conservation
What should we aim to do?
What is the groups vision? What aims should we set ourselves? Don't have to decide right now – but we want to
discuss it and send in views later What group structure should we have
First Activities
County-wide questionnaire? Site identification? Displays? Fund raising activities? Liaison with Local Authorities etc? Other suggestions
Contacts and Networking
Who should we contact and who can help? (e.g. Community Action for Energy, RegenSW)
Who should we liaise with and when – e.g. Farmers (NFU), gliding clubs, businesses (e.g. Good Energy)
Speaking with the Local Authorities – how can we work with officers and members?
Other organisations – e.g. Natural England, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust etc
Feedback We need time to think about how the meeting
has gone – please feedback later when you can. A few headings are included in the feedback sheet
Please think about what will work locally to where you live.
A short summary of the meeting will be posted on the website
Any other business? Date and location of next meeting Thank you and meeting close