Amazon plans England's tallest onshore wind turbine

The Amazon warehouse was completed in 2021

Amazon is in the early stages of planning to build England's tallest onshore wind turbine at one of its warehouses.

The company has asked Swindon Borough Council whether it needs to provide an environmental assessment for a planned turbine at its facility in Swindon, Wiltshire.

In a screening opinion request, Amazon said it wanted to produce its own energy to meet its net zero targets by 2040, using a turbine which would be 500ft (152m) tall.

England's tallest onshore wind turbine is currently in Bristol, it is 492ft and double the height of the average English turbine.

Long-term climate change has been caused by human activity, the UN's climate body the IPCC says, mainly from the widespread use of fossil fuels - coal, oil and gas - in homes, factories and transport.

When fossil fuels burn, they release greenhouse gases - mostly carbon dioxide (CO2). This traps extra energy in the atmosphere near the Earth's surface, causing the planet to heat up.

Construction of the wind turbine in Bristol started last year

Amazon told planners it was unable to put solar panels on the roof at its Swindon site, despite having wanted to and been granted planning permission.

”Amazon is now seeking other renewable energy generation methods such as the installation of a single wind turbine.

"Wind energy is an abundant natural resource. It is non-polluting, clean, and sustainable," the company said.

A screening opinion request is frequently followed by a full planning application if the council agrees, the Local Democracy Reporting Service explained.

As the current application is a request for the opinion of planners, comments by neighbours and other interested parties are not sought.

However, there would be an opportunity for comments on the full planning application if, and when, it is made.

Swindon Borough Council’s website said a decision on whether an environmental impact assessment is needed should be made by 24 June.