transition network conference 2012 - community energy workshop - community renewables with frank...
DESCRIPTION
Part of the 'Bringing Power to the People: starting your own community renewable energy project' workshop held at the Transition Network Conference 2012, London, UK. Presented by Chris Rowland of OVESCO, Peter Capener of Bath and West Community Energy, Allan Shepherd, author of "The Home Energy Handbook", and Frank Gordon of Westmill Solar Cooperative. Chaired by Peter Lipman of Transition Network.TRANSCRIPT
Frank Gordon Project Manager, Westmill Solar Cooperative
Westmill Solar Farm UK’s first (& we think
world’s largest)
Next to Westmill wind farm- Adam Twine
Built July 2011; unanimous approval
30 acre site, 20,000 panels
4.5Gwh/year
2,000 tonnes CO2
1,400 homes
Westmill Solar Farm
Purchase process:
£16.5 million project
Over £5m share
sales (A & B)
Raising debt- in
progress
c.9-11% pa IRR for
members (FITs &
PPA)
1,650 members
Big 6 Utility Renewables Shareholders benefit (based where?)
No or very little compensation/benefits to local people
National contractors likely to be used (economies of scale across projects)
Small community fund may be provided
Control of asset?
What connection to local area/people?
Community renewables Financial returns go to local people
People can buy their “own” electricity
Communities doing it for themselves
An alternative to the Big Six
One person one vote member-led decision making
AGMs with real democracy
Creates passionate advocates
Research shows members change attitudes to energy
Potential for 3.5GW of community power in the UK
How to start a project? Requirements:
Site, landowner on board
Community!
Detailed planning submission(s), technical and financial models
Project management/continuity
Specialist legal / technical / financial skills
Some upfront resources (pre-planning)
Stamina and persistence! (1-3 year projects)
Bear in mind Consider organisation’s rules carefully (eg ‘B’ shares)
Build in time for FSA and legal clearance and spreading the word
How to cover upfront costs (early investors, landowners?)
Make the case to investors on a range of issues (resilience, energy security, climate, financial)- appeals to many
Back up plans & project continuity
The future New models? Energy saving, energy efficiency
New technologies? RHI, offshore wind
Dedicated community Feed-in-Tariff to support projects
Ethical share exchange, Ethex, December 2012
Crowdfunding sources Abundance & Microgenius…
A new, national, not-for-profit web platform for community shares in sustainable energy projects
Easier to find community shares to buy Easier to promote and manage your share offer
www.microgenius.org.uk
Contact Frank Gordon
@renewables_uk
www.westmillsolar.coop
