£2bn investment in energy project

Avonmouth was selected as a potential site

Proposed renewable energy projects worth £2bn funded by commerical investors could make Bristol a leading green city.

Alan Bailey, Bristol's Environmental Technology and Services Sector chairman, said nine different projects were proposed in and around Avonmouth.

He said Bristol was leading the charge on the green agenda and could position itself as the "green-collar capital".

The projects would include green power stations and recycling plants.

Mr Bailey said the Avonmouth area was selected for the projects because of the accessibility to the port and to materials.

Bristol City Council has also discussed a grid to harness the heat generated from the various green projects to bring warmth to businesses and homes in the area.

Paul Isbell, renewable energy manager for Bristol City Council, said: "What we've got is a number of individual projects that will generate vast amounts of heat.

"There is real potential for an exciting project which would fit Bristol for the future as we come out of the economic gloom."