The UK's first local authority-run wind farm moved a step closer this when Bristol City Council signed the contract for two wind turbines at Avonmouth.

Contracts have been signed with Nordex UK for two N100 wind turbines to be located on a former Shell oil tank site in Avonmouth. The chosen wind turbines are most suited to the wind conditions at the site.

Bristol City Council will be the first local authority in the UK to fully own and develop a wind energy project of this scale. The profit from selling the electricity can be used to finance other ‘green’ and community projects in the future.

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Work is expected to begin on site in early March 2013 with the turbines delivered to site in September 2013, and producing 'green' electricity from October 2013.

Mayor George Ferguson said: "This is just the type of bold energy project that Bristol should be pioneering. We will be our own green electricity producers, saving taxpayers money and reducing our carbon footprint. The project is a further step in our ambition to become Europe’s Green Capital City."

Bristol City Council worked in partnership with wind energy consultants Wind Prospect to secure the wind turbine and operations and maintenance contract. Nordex UK will design and install the wind turbines, and maintain and service both turbines once built.

Contractor Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Limited has been appointed to undertake the civil and electrical works.

(CD/GK)