Benefits
The University of Reading and Partnerships for Renewables believe that a wind energy development at Rushy Mead will provide a number of benefits.
Environmental Benefits
A scheme of this size could generate between 15.7GWh and 21.9GWh of renewable electricity per year, which is equivalent to the amount of electricity used annually by between 3,440 and 4,790 average households, and could displace between 6,780 and 9,400 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year.
Please note: The environmental benefit figures are based on: four, 2.5 megawatt turbines with a total installed capacity of 10MW, operating with both a 18 and 25% capacity factor; average household electricity use of 4,572.5kWh per annum; and the electricity generated displacing electricity generated from CCGT / average fuel mix - approximately 430gCO2/kWh.
Economic Benefits
In addition to the University making a positive contribution towards the fight against climate change Partnerships for Renewables will pay rent for the site helping the University maintain its position as one of the UK’s top 10 research-intensive Universities.
The green electricity generated by any wind turbines on Reading University land will be supplied to the University at a reduced rate, or fed into the National Grid to provide annual income for the University to invest.
Once built, there will be very little impact on the land around the turbines and so the existing farming and agricultural research will continue uninterrupted with the potential to use data from the turbines for research.
Community Benefits
A market-leading community benefit package will be provided alongside any future development. This will consist of a community fund, receiving an annual payment. The fund is administered by representatives of the local community, to be spent in any way that the community sees fit.