Wessex Water has unveiled its plans for to instal 125 metres high wind turbines to generate energy at its Avonmouth site and opened a public consultation on the project.

The firm hopes to install the giant turbines, which will cost £2.5 million each, on land north-west of junction 18a of the M5.

The project has come about in part due to the company’s desire for a green energy source but also to provide some protection against increasing electricity tariffs. A study carried out by Wessex identified wind power as the most viable option.

The Avonmouth sewage treatment works was identified by planning consultants as offering the best opportunity for Wessex to develop wind power on one of its own sites - the plant is already powered by renewable energy in the form of recycled methane from the sewage to use as fuel for the site. At present an environmental impact assessment (EIA) is taking place and after its completion in spring 2008, a planning application will be submitted. If successful, the scheme is expected to be completed in 2011.

The plan would bring the total number of wind turbines in the area to seven - three have already been set up to serve the Bristol port. Each turbine would generate about five gigawatt hours of energy per year, which would provide Wessex Water with eight percent of the 260 gigawatt hours it uses to power sewage treatment works in the South West annually.