Aviation problems bring halt to Oxford Road wind turbine proposal

Published: 30/03/2011

Problems with Ministry of Defence aviation radar interference have caused plans for a wind turbine on Oxford City Council land at Oxford Road, near Horspath to be halted.

Renewable energy developer Partnerships for Renewables (PfR) stated that despite many months of ongoing consultation, they have been unable to agree a resolution to the potential interference to the MoD’s Primary Surveillance radar (PSR), which a turbine may cause. Tony Duffin, Regional Manager at PfR commented “Although there has been  an MoD objection outstanding on the site for some time, the advice from our expert aviation consultants suggested that there could be a way forwards for the site and we have been working hard ever since to come to a resolution,” explains Mr Duffin. “Unfortunately this has not been possible, despite us having success at resolving similar situations on other sites in our portfolio.”

“This is very disappointing news for all those involved in the project and all our supporters in Oxford. Aside from the ongoing radar issues, all our technical studies to date have shown it to be a promising site, including site-specific wind data gathered over the past six months which is in line with all our expectations and estimates. Unfortunately the MoD has said that a turbine of this scale will have a detrimental effect on their radar and we have been unable to find a solution to this.”

Another joint wind energy venture between PfR and OCC at Cutteslowe Park was also halted last year due to aviation issues.

Councillor John Tanner, Board Member for Cleaner, Greener Oxford, said "This is a real setback which I know will disappoint many Oxford residents. But it is of course right that we should respect the radar requirements of the RAF. It is good to know that a large wind turbine on the Horspath Road site could have worked and would have made money.

 "The City Council will now look at how we can promote wind power in other ways. We won''''t be blown off course. As Didcot Power Station contracts and with the problems with nuclear at Fukushima in Japan, it is clear that we must find ways of building more wind turbines in Oxfordshire.

 "Meanwhile the City Council is redoubling its efforts, and working with other organisations, to install solar panels on roofs across Oxford. Renewable energy is the only way forward and I''''d like to thank Partnership for Renewables for the time and money they put into this project."

Oxford City Council and PfR remain committed to working together on any future sites that might emerge outside the area which falls within the scope of concern to the MoD’s PSR radar operators.

The community surgery which was due to be held on April 21st at Horspath Youth Football Ground will no longer be taking place.

-Ends-

For further information please contact:

• Jo Reeves, Communications Manager, Partnerships for Renewables. Tel: 07540 688 031 or email: jo.reeves@pfr.co.uk
• Louisa Dean, Press Officer, Oxford City Council. Tel: 01865 252096 or email ldean@oxford.gov.uk

Editor’s notes:

• Oxford City Council is the first council in England and Wales to commit to exploring the potential for commercial scale wind energy on its land. The council has formed a partnership with PfR, which has surveyed hundreds of possible sites for wind turbines around Oxford, narrowing it down to two after various investigations. 
• Partnerships for Renewables was set up by the Carbon Trust in 2006 to work in partnership with the public sector to develop, construct and operate renewable energy projects. By providing a one stop shop for the development of renewable energy projects, Partnerships for Renewables provide a way for public sector bodies to access the economic and environmental benefits associated with renewable energy and contribute towards the fight against climate change without diverting public sector resources away from frontline services. Partnerships for Renewables is now owned by the Carbon Trust (34%), HSBC Infrastructure Fund (33%) and the Ontario Pension Trust (33%)
• For more information on PfR please visit www.pfr.co.uk
• For more information on the Horspath site visit www.pfr.co.uk/horspath

< View all news