A PROPOSAL to locate two wind turbines near the university campus in Penryn is to be the subject of a public engagement event this month.

Exeter University is proposing to locate up to two wind turbines near its Tremough Campus, to provide clean electricity, along with improved habitats for local wildlife in the area.

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

The university said: “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 university says the proposed wind turbines could generate up to 5,712,400 kWh of clean electricity each year, offsetting up to 343 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually, and 6,863 tonnes over the expected life of the turbines. This is equivalent to more than 1,500 domestic households' annual electricity usage each year.

It says based on Penryn Campus’ annual electricity usage, the wind turbines could supply up to 70% of the campus’ annual electricity consumption. Solar panels on building roofs on the campus could also supply up to 20% to generate the majority 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%," it says.

“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.”

The project team have been completing technical surveys in the area in early 2024, including noise monitoring, groundwork investigations and ecological surveys.

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The university is inviting members of the public to view the proposal for up to two wind turbines at an engagement event on Wednesday, July 17, between 1pm to 7pm, at Mabe Youth and Community Project, Community Hall, Primelin Place, Cunningham Park, Mabe.

The project team will be on hand to answer any questions and attendees can provide feedback at the event or online.

The engagement event materials will be published on its webpage and an online feedback form will be live from Wednesday, July 17 until the end of the engagement period on Friday, July 26.

Following the engagement activity, the team will review the feedback received, with a view to submitting a planning application to Cornwall Council.

Any queries about the proposal, you can get in touch with the team at campusdevelopment@exeter.ac.uk