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RE PROJECTS WITH STRONG COMMUNITY AND/OR LOCAL INVOLVEMENT IN THE UK
Baywind Energy Co-operative
Unit 18, Trinity Enterprise Centre, Furness Business Park, Barrow-in-Funess, Cumbria
Tel: 01229 821028 Fax: 01229 821104
www.baywind.co.uk
The Baywind Energy Co-operative offers a different investment model than normal; Baywind was the first UK co-operative to own wind turbines. Baywind began by establishing an Industrial and Provident Society in 1996 in order to facilitate community wind investments in Cumbria. A Board of Directors was formed from seven initial members of the Ulverston and Barrow local communities.Its objective is to promote the development of renewable energy and, at the same time, to promote domestic demand-side energy management. To assist with the latter, Baywind established the associated 'Energy Conservation Trust'.
Baywind Energy Co-operative currently owns three wind turbines in Cumbria with a rated capacity of 1.7 MW. Between September 1996 and February 1999, over £1.9 million was raised in share capital. Returns to investors are based on the level of profit gained by the sale of electricity from the turbines. Baywind offers a minimum investment option of £300 and a maximum of £20,000. The Co-operative is currently in the process of expanding its portfolio and aims to acquire another 5 wind turbines with the launch of a new share offer early next year.
Awel Aman Tawe project
Ysgol Gynradd Gwaun Cae Gurwen, New Road, Gwaun Cae Gurwen, Rhydaman, SA18 1UN
Tel. No: 01269 822954 Fax No: 01269 825628 Email: mail@awelamantawe.org.uk
The Awel Aman Tawe project (Hinshelwood 2000) is attempting to obtain public grant aid and loan finance for a wind farm development. Profits from its success would be used to finance a 'local regeneration fund'. The fund would provide much needed financial input into a community that has suffered enormously since the demise of the local coal industry. In South Wales, the Awel Aman Tawe Community Wind Project had a positive response in summer 2001 to its local referendum on developing a community windfarm. Assuming planning can be obtained and finance can be raised, this project would be capable of earning between £250,000 and £350,000 a year for local community development or renovation initiatives.
Cassop School wind turbine
Community projects are sometimes small and usually try to maintain any flow of benefits or resources as locally as possible. A project at Cassop School, near Durham, led to the installation a 50 kW wind turbine from 1999. The school selected the turbine to match the load with the school catering ovens, thereby being capable of offsetting the school’s peak electricity demand. When the ovens are not being used, the surplus electricity is sold on to the grid. A key factor is that such power exports maximise in the evenings, weekends and school holidays. The 'community' in this situation brings together the school, the local authority and the local electricity supply company who helped to develop the scheme. Winsund of Hugh Jennings Ltd was the local renewable energy contractor providing the specialist knowledge and turnkey installation.
Planet Energy - Farm Energy
Unit 2, Castle Park Road, Whiddon Valley, Barnstaple, EX32 8PA
Tel: 01271 371888 Fax: 01271 371333
E-mail: info@farmenergy.co.uk
Planet Energy was established by the wind power developer Farm Energy Ltd to act as a vehicle for community investments into wind power projects developed by Farm Energy. Planet Energy (PE) is a 'Society for the Benefit of the Community', a co-operative incorporated under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1965.
PE will be launched with a share issue early in 2002. It is likely to operate in a similar way to the Baywind Energy Co-operative.
Wind Works - National Wind Power Ltd
Riverside House, Meadowbank, Furlong Road, Bourne End, Buckinghamshire SL8 5AJ
Tel: 01628 532300 E-mail: mail@windworks.ltd.uk
www.windworks.ltd.uk
Wind Works is a new scheme launched by National Wind Power Ltd (NWP) which offers a ‘one-stop-shop’ service to offer farmers and landowners with suitable land holdings the opportunity to develop small wind projects typically comprising 1 to 3 wind turbines on their land. Community groups, in association with a landowner, could participate in the scheme to develop a community-owned project. NWP provides the access to information, knowledge, markets and, when required, financing of the project, in return for a long-term income stream to the landowner.
Countryside Agency ‘Community Renewables Initiative’-The Countryside Agency
John Dower House, Crescent Place, Cheltenham, Glos GL50 3RA
Tel: 01242 521381 Email: rick.minter@countryside.gov.uk
http://www.countryside.gov.uk/communityrenewables
The Countryside Agency recently launched the community-initiative to ‘provide joined up delivery of community-led renewable energy’. The initiative will address the barriers of access to information and knowledge, and direct groups towards potential financing and grant funding of projects. 10 local support groups have been set-up in specific geographical areas within England. Similar initiatives are expected to be set up shortly within England and Wales. They will provide support, training and advice, and will encourage people to devise and deliver renewable energy developments in their locality.
Dyfi Eco Valley Partnership
Unit 1, Dyfi Eco Parc, Machynlleth, Powys SY20 8AX
Contact: Andy Rowland Tel: 01654 705018 e-mail: ecodyfi@gn.apc.org
The Dyfi Eco Valley Partnership has assisted several farmers, businesses, schools, community groups and householders with feasibility studies, capital grants and advice concerning installation of small-scale renewable energy schemes, using the EC, ERDF 5b programme.
Sustainable Energy and Economic Development (SEED) - West Wales ECO Centre
Old School Business Centre, Lower St.Mary St, Newport, Pembs SA42 OTS
This West Wales Eco Centre offers site visits and independent advice on renewable energy options for householders, businesses and community buildings in Pembrokeshire.
Sustainable Energy at Local Level (SEALL) - North Energy Associates
7b Old Gate, Morpeth, Northumberland NE16 1PY
North Energy Associates have run two EC-funded projects providing feasibility studies and capital grants for community renewable energy schemes in Northumberland.
Sileby Living Village Trust
41 High Street, Sileby, Leicestershire LE12 7RX 01509 814887
Email: info@woodheat-org
The central aim of the Sileby Village Trust is the development of renewable energy initiatives, leading to increased deployment and revenues within the village community
Trans-send Trust
139 High Street Ilfracombe North Devon UK 01271 862781
Email: info@trans-send.org.uk
http://www.trans-send.org.uk
Trans-Send is a community organisation set up to promote renewable energy, sustainable living and energy saving in the Ilfracombe area, N Devon, UK.
We aim to do this by providing information, training, education, advisory services and undertaking community based projects.
Our long-term vision is for the area to become 100% powered from renewable energy. |
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