A wind turbine the height of 29 double-decker buses has been installed in Avonmouth.
The 130-metre-high structure has been put up by wine company Accolade at its manufacturing and distribution centre on Kings Weston Lane.
The global firm, which includes brands such as Echo Falls, Hardys, Kumala and Mud House, will use the 2.5MW turbine to transform kinetic energy into electrical energy.
It will save 2,540 tonnes in CO2 equivalent emissions every year – the same as powering 1,300 UK homes for the same period.
Accolade Wines partnered with energy specialists CleanEarth to install the turbine under a tenant - rather than landlord - agreement. It is the first business in England to do so.
The company needed the approval of the local planning authorities and the site owners to put up the turbine.
Despite the restrictive regulations that govern onshore wind development in England, Bristol’s planning authority says the turbine will help meet the city’s carbon reduction targets.
Richard Lloyd, general manager for Accolade Wines, said: “Getting a wind turbine up on mainland England is a feat in itself but to change the standard is truly exceptional and this landmark case is paving the way for other businesses to source renewable energy.
“The need to source renewable electricity is very evident and having our own wind turbine is a significant part of the solution. We were all determined to make it happen.”
The energy the wind turbine creates will meet 50 per cent of Accolade Park’s on-site electricity consumption.
Ade McKeon, regional managing director, added: “As the largest wine warehouse and distribution facility in Europe, our objective is to bring people their favourite wines in the most sustainable way and we are proud to be on this greener journey together with our partners in the supply chain.”
The company has also just completed its first full year of zero waste-to-landfill.
