NEWSLETTER
WIND TURBINE COMMUNITY BENEFIT
Heart of Devon Community Energy Limited
“We aim to be one of the first projects in Devon to ensure all profits are kept within our community.
Our very detailed feasibility study by internationally recognised experts, Locogen, has suggested the potential for a £2 million community fund over the 20 year lifetime of the wind turbine - far more than any commercial operator would provide. This fund could be used for projects to support businesses, education, health and reducing energy costs”
www.heartofdevon.org.uk
What people say about their Community Energy Projects
Ambition Community Energy
David Tudgey, Project Development & Asset Manager on behalf Ambition Community Energy (Bristol) says:
“We believe every community should develop it’s own renewable energy. Our 100% community-owned turbine will generate electricity equivalent to Lawrence Weston’s domestic use, around 3,000homes and save 120,000 tonnes of CO2e over its lifetime. Our expected income will be invested back into the local community. Funds are expected to help a development plan for Lawrence Weston and to contribute to a new £1.7 million community hub for the area, which will provide support, training and debt advice to local residents”
Ore Valley Energy
Nicholas Clark Enterprise and Sustainability Manager says:
“Our wind turbine (500KW) started generating clean energy in 2017. Income from selling the energy has exceeded our expectations and continues to do so. This income has enabled us to support a number of new ventures; such as our community electric car club, energy advice, help to lower bills and financial assistance for community projects”
Westray Community Wind Turbine
“This case study within a report for Community Energy Scotland showed that 0.9 MW community-owned turbine on the Orkney Island of Westray has returned to the community approximately £299,057 per MW per annum and is expected to contribute £6.8 million to the community over its 25 year lifespan”
https://westraydevelopmenttrust.co.uk/about-westray-development-trust/
THELBRIDGE COMMUNITY WIND TURBINE
Dear Householder
You may have been wondering what has been happening to the plans for a wind turbine in the parish. This letter will try to bring you up to date.
A couple of years ago we asked for your views on erecting a community owned wind turbine close to Doctor’s Corner in order to help combat climate change. We were pleased to get 94 responses (70% of households), of which 67 said they were in favour or not opposed and only 15 were against.
This encouraged us to seek and find suitable sites, willing landowners and grants for funding. The Government wishes to support community renewable energy: The Rural Community Energy Fund and Devon County Council have funded us to carry out a feasibility study which is now all but complete and very positive.
We have since become a community benefit society called Heart of Devon Community Energy Ltd. which is set up to put all profits back into your community and has unpaid volunteer directors. If we succeed in gaining planning permission, we will commence the next phase of the project which is to raise money to build and install the turbine. We will be making a share issue which will give you and the wider community the opportunity to purchase shares and become owners. The money from selling electricity to the National Grid will go to the residents of Thelbridge to be used for community purposes after interest has been paid to shareholders.
We want to confirm that your community supports the project and to encourage some of you to join our group. To this end, we will be inviting you to an open day in Thelbridge Parish Hall to see a display of photos, maps and to ask us questions.
Our website has been launched and will provide continuing updates and much more information on our work as well as the fast growing community energy sector. It also gives you the opportunity to contact us and get involved.
February 2024
