Penryn Wind Turbine project

We are proposing to locate a single wind turbine near our Penryn Campus, to provide clean electricity, along with improved habitats for local wildlife in the area.

The proposal is to install the wind turbine on our land located near Treliever Cross and close to the two existing, privately owned wind turbines at Roskrow Barton.

Reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and exploring cleaner energy options supports our ambition in our Strategy 2030 to lead meaningful action against the climate emergency.

Wind power has a vital role to play and will help us to reduce our carbon emissions and provide energy security for the campus.

The proposed wind turbine is expected to generate up to 2,803 MegaWatts an hour of clean electricity each year. This is equivalent of around 750 domestic households' annual electricity usage each year (based on UK averages).

Based on Penryn Campus’ annual electricity usage, the wind turbine could supply 34% of the campus’ annual electricity consumption. Solar panels on building roofs on the campus could also supply up to 20% to generate more of Penryn Campus’ electric supply from clean, renewable sources.

As part of the proposal, we aim to provide an overall biodiversity net gain across the site of greater than 10%. We aim to do this by providing a Green Infrastructure Plan which maintains and protects the existing Cornish hedges as wildlife corridors, minimises breakages in the hedgerow, and utilises existing openings. The site offers plenty of space to allow new tree planting where it will not affect the wind pattern, and retention of all the major trees on site in line with the 15% tree canopy requirement. In accordance with the invasive species control plan and the nearby agricultural fields, the biodiversity net gain plans will consider planting plans that are complimentary to neighbouring land use and mitigate the growth of ragwort, dock, thistle and other plants where the seed may negatively affect nearby hay fields.

Below is a map to show the proposed site for the wind turbine, which will be located in the southernmost field (close to the road).

Public engagement event in July 2024

The University held a public engagement event in July 2024.

You can view the exhibition materials from the engagement event here: Penryn Wind Turbines exhibition materials

Following the feedback received as part of the engagement, the proposal has been reduced from two turbines to a single 1 MegaWatt wind turbine and associated infrastructure at the research field. The reduction to one turbine will reduce the noise and visual impact on the local area while continuing to have a significant contribution in reducing carbon emissions for the campus.

Planning application

We expect to submit a planning application for the proposed single wind turbine to Cornwall Council in the coming weeks. The planning application will be published on the following web page, where all of the planning documentation can be viewed and comments submitted: www.cornwall.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/planning-applications/online-planning-register/

A number of assessments and surveys have been completed and are included in the planning application documents. A summary of the findings of the assessments and surveys are provided in the ‘Planning Application’ tab below.

Project update

We expect to submit a planning application for the proposed single wind turbine to Cornwall Council in the coming weeks.

The planning application will be published on the following web page, where all of the planning documentation can be viewed and comments submitted: www.cornwall.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/planning-applications/online-planning-register/

Subject to planning approval, the University is committed to working with Mabe Parish Council through a Community Benefit Fund, to support the community with local environmental projects.

If you have any questions or queries about the project please email the project team at: campusdevelopment@exeter.ac.uk

Planning Application

A number of assessments and surveys have been completed and are included in the planning application documents. A summary of the findings of the assessments and surveys are provided below:

A noise assessment of the impact of the wind turbine on the nearest local properties, including the cumulative impact with the operational Roskrow Barton Wind Farm, concluded that the noise levels will be below the criteria in the ETSU-R-97 (assessment and rating of noise from wind farms, UK Government), subject to the implementation of scheduled Stop Functions or Power Mode Operation at low wind speeds to reduce the ongoing noise of the turbine.
A shadow and flicker assessment concludes that, when wind direction, incidence of sunshine at appropriate times of the year and obstructions are accounted for no shadow flicker impacts above the industry accepted level of twenty hours per annum are expected. Indeed, the incidence of shadow flicker at those properties identified as potentially being affected is almost zero.
Biodiversity and ecology mitigation measures have been incorporated into the proposal to reduce the impact of the wind turbine on the local environment and provide biodiversity benefits. Key measures include; hedgerow and habitat creation, tree planting, bat and bird boxes, bee post and log piles to create shelter and hibernation areas, and the removal of non-native invasive species.
Landscape and visual impact assessment considers mitigation measures to reduce the impact of the development, including burying the cable route to avoid existing hedges.

Contact us

Peter Howells is the Project Manager for the project.

If you have any questions or queries about the proposal please email the project team at: campusdevelopment@exeter.ac.uk