TWO large wind turbines could be built on the docks at Sharpness if an assessment and investigation find it a viable site.

British Waterways, who own the site, and the Partnership for Renewables yesterday announced their intentions to assess the feasibility of siting wind turbines on the river Severn at Sharpness Docks.

They hope to introduce the plans early in the New Year.

A minimum of 12 months detailed assessment work would be required to establish whether the site was suitable for wind turbines, although initial studies that have already taken place suggest the site could accommodate one or two turbines of up to 130 metre tall – the height to the tip of the blade.

British Waterways estimates the two turbines could have an overall capacity of two to four megawatts. A three megawatt wind development would generate, they claim, the equivalent of the amount for energy used by more than 1,300 average households each year.

Richard Mercer, from British Waterways, said: "Two hundred years after the waterways were built to serve the industrial revolution, it is important that we put our land and waterways to full use which includes helping to fight the battle against climate change.

"Should the plans at Sharpness Docks go ahead, then all the income that British Waterways generates will be reinvested into the looking after our canals and rivers for the benefit of the environment and local community."

A public exhibition to introduce the proposals and the project team to thee local community is planned for early next year.

Basil Booth, county councillor for the Berkeley and Sharpness area, said he was surprised to heat of the plans but open to the idea of the turbines.

"We will have to wait for them to put their plans in and see what we think, no doubt there will be both for and against in the argument, but we will have to see what happens."

Tony Duffin, regional manager for Partnerships for Renewables, which was set up by the Carbon Trust to work with public sector bodies on environmental projects, said: "Although we are at the early stages of our environmental and technical work, results so far have proved positive. We are committed to only developing renewable energy projects on appropriate sites.

"Even if the results of the detailed technical and environmental studies prove positive, we are unlikely to submit a planning application until spring 2011 at the earliest. At this stage we want to discuss the plans with neighbours of the site and ensure that information is publicly available.

"We are aware of the importance of the river Severn in terms of its birdlife and natural habitats and we are seeking to engage local environmental groups to ensure that the development is sensitive to the surrounding environment."

Anyone with an interest in the project can keep up to date with the latest information at www.pfr.co.uk/Sharpness, email pfr@communityrelations.co.uk or call 0800 731 7395.