Knowsley Safari Park

A Medium wind feasibility study at the Knowsley Safari Park, Merseyside.

Objective:

To determine the capacity for the Knowsley Safari Park to house a medium scale wind turbine alongside a number of other technologies in the aim of making the business more sustainable.

Outcome:

The feasibility study was initially carried out in view of installing a single 275kW Vergnet turbine but concluded that a 100kW Northwind turbine was more appropriate to the energy demand and spatial constraints of the Safari Park.

The micro-siting/ location of the turbine was complicated by a number of telecommunication links and a gas pipeline running through the site. The site lies within a greenbelt, Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council initially had reservations about the proposal due to this. Aviation concerns were identified and raised by John Lennon Airport, 12km away.

A meeting was held with the council and ICE Renewables was able to successfully demonstrate how the turbine would have a positive influence on the park and surrounding. The council are now keen to support the application and Knowsley Safari Park in becoming a sustainable business.