The Camp Hill site of HMP Isle of Wight.
PLANS have been announced which could lead to 125m-high wind turbines being installed at the Camp Hill site of HMP Isle of Wight.
Private company Partnerships for Renewables, working with the Ministry of Justice, is in the early stages of developing a proposal for two 2.5MW wind turbines on the site.
Prison governor Barry Greenberry said the plans were exciting but still in the very early stages and a lot of work remained to be done.
According to Partnerships for Renewables, which would cover all development costs, the two turbines would be sited outside the prison walls on land neighbouring Parkhurst Forest.
They could provide 11GWh of electricity, enough to power 2,400 households — as well as cut CO2 emissions by 2,300 tonnes a year.
"In addition to the Ministry of Justice making a positive contribution towards the fight against climate change, Partnerships for Renewables will pay rent for the site, bringing in additional income to the ministry," said a Partnerships spokesman.
It could take up to five years for design, consent and construction for the project to be completed.
An initial investigation has already been completed and a planning application is due to be submitted in the next two years.
According to Partnerships for Renewables, a community fund to benefit the local area would be established and an annual payment of £2,500 per installed megawatt paid each year. That would mean an annual income of £12,500 a year if the two 2.5MW turbines were installed.
The turbines would be expected to have an operational life of 20 to 25 years. As well as providing power to the National Grid, a direct line could be set up to power the prison.
A 19m-tall, 15kw turbine was installed at the Parkhurst site to provide power to the prison’s eco-kitchen, opened officially in September last year.
Reporter: ross.findon@iwcp.co.uk