The University of Nottingham has announced plans for three wind turbines on its land adjacent to the River Trent near Clifton Bridge.

The turbines would be up to 125 metres high and would supply green electricity directly to the University Park campus. The power generated – enough for the domestic needs of around 5,000 houses – will meet a third of the electricity needs of University Park.

The turbines would reduce the University’s carbon emissions by 7,000 tonnes a year, around 40 per cent of the target reductions required by 2015.

Professor Alan Dodson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Infrastructure and Environment, said: “This proposal will help the University to play its part in reducing the carbon emissions that contribute to global warming.

“By generating a proportion of our electricity through renewable methods such as wind power, we can make a significant step towards our carbon reduction target, and make a contribution to the targets set for the city and the region.

“Success in reducing our carbon footprint will also have an impact on the amount of funding that we receive from the Higher Education Funding Council for England, thus helping to ensure that we can continue to pursue our agenda of excellence in education and world-leading research.”

The UK emits 560 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) – the key greenhouse gas culprit – every year, and the Government target is to cut this by 60 per cent by 2050.

Power stations burning coal and other fossil fuels to produce electricity are the largest contributor to carbon emissions, producing 170 million tonnes of CO2 each year.

The site – off Thane Road – was identified by the Carbon Trust as the most suitable for wind generation. A full planning application is due to be submitted in February 2011. Subject to approval, the turbines would be built in 2012, with construction expected to take around six months.

The University accepts that the turbines will be a prominent feature on the Nottingham skyline visible from a number of locations. It has offered presentations in city and Broxtowe council wards near the proposed site, and a public exhibition and consultation will be launched in the New Year before the formal planning application is made.

More details, including maps, frequently-asked questions, etc, are available at http://nottingham. ac.uk/renewableenergyproject/index.aspx.