News
Innovative renewable energy project at local school gets go ahead
Release date: May 25, 200
Project aims to generate energy from wind power at a local primary school...
Oxfordshire County Council today granted planning permission for a project to generate energy from wind power at a local primary school. South Oxfordshire District and Oxfordshire County Councils are working together to install a micro wind turbine on the school grounds, helping to reduce the school’s electricity bills and educate children about renewable energy. The turbine will be a scaled down version of the turbines used by wind farms, standing at just fifteen metres – roughly the same size as a telegraph pole.
The innovative scheme is the first of its kind in the county. The Councils have already secured a £13,500 Clear Skies renewable energy grant from the government. South Oxfordshire District Council is providing the remaining 50% of the funding. The turbine will be installed during the summer 2006.
Berinsfield Community Primary School is delighted they have been chosen for the project. Head teacher Angela Knight and her staff are fully behind the scheme, also supported by the Parish Council. Thames Valley Energy Agency has provided expert advice for this project.
The school is getting
hands on support and advice on meter reading and energy monitoring (which links to the National Curriculum), as they are taking
part in the Schools Energy Project, run by the County Council in partnership with a range of energy organisations. Local
councillors and residents recently visited a similar wind installation at a primary school in Brill.
John Cotton,
South Oxfordshire District Council Cabinet Member and a local councillor for Berinsfield, said:
“We are committed to the development of renewable energy, particularly in South Oxfordshire, as part of our goal to help tackle climate change and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. In Berinsfield, we are especially keen to offset carbon emissions arising from a new path and street lighting scheme that this district council is installing in the village.
“The wind turbine should act as a symbol that local councils in Oxfordshire are taking the issue of climate change seriously.”
Councillor Roger Belson, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development at Oxfordshire County Council, said:
“The Berinsfield School Wind Turbine Project makes an exciting contribution to meeting the County Council renewable energy targets which form part of our Future First environmental programme. By supporting this project in one of our schools we are enabling the next generation to learn directly about saving and producing their own energy.”
For further information please contact Heather Saunders, Sustainable Development Manager, South Oxfordshire District Council, Tel. 01491 823497.
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