Further to current discussions within the city highlighting the need for more sustainable and renewable energy systems Chris Bluemel Green Party prospective parliamentary candidate for Southampton Itchen has focused on the real possibility that a large wind turbine could be erected close to and possibly within the city boundaries. One suggested site is to place a large wind turbine near the junction of the Itchen and Test rivers both as a symbol of Southampton ’s commitment to renewable energy and as a very practical site in terms of wind. People coming in to Southampton by boat would come to see this as an iconic image of Southampton . It would also be a tourist attraction, with access to an Observation Gallery.
South West Hampshire Green Party has drawn up a picture of what it could look like (the scenery depending on location). The Observation Gallery could be much larger and indeed further from ground level than most current wind turbines, such as the one sited in Norfolk at Swaffham (65m), and it would give views far across the Solent . It would be a much more useful yet symbolic structure than the 170m Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth . The cost of the project should be less than the 40 million pounds paid for the Spinnaker Tower . Southampton could perhaps gain benefit by using the same plans and contractors that provided such things as public access and disability access.
The City of Southampton could divert money set aside for the proposed Spitfire Memorial (two million pounds mentioned in the media) so as to give the Turbine a link to the famous fighter plane. The turbine could be called The Spitfire Blade, re-designing the turbine housing to look like a spitfire cockpit with the Observation Gallery on top
Investment would be recouped both by charging a small entry fee to the Observation Gallery with panoramic views and from the substantial energy generation for the city.
The Southampton Turbine could be used so schools have an outside study where wind power and other sustainable energy systems might be exhibited. Chris Bluemel stated “There are far more grants available for projects that have serious educational substance to them and we would hope central government would make substantial money available for the project.”
Chris concluded that “Southampton should be proving to the wind power industry that Southampton people are prepared to embrace such structures for our future energy generation. And much more it would emphasise the point that factories like that of Vestas really are required for the economic future of our country and community.”
Notes: 1. It now is accepted that the MOD must consider giving way to projects like large wind power turbines, where there are no paramount security issues, as similarly the case that civil aviation radar should not be allowed to be blocked electronically by wind energy projects.
2. Reference for noise issues. www.bwea.com/ref/noise.html
Dave Hubble from GREENPEACE demands truly ambitious cuts in line with the science. All commitments must be legally and binding. Anything less than this will be greenwash.
