Wind Energy Planning

Community owned wind energy projects have started to appear in England, Scotland and Germany over the last few years. Many wind energy companies are starting to run schemes where local people can invest in their local wind energy project and in some cases individual wind energy operators are selling 100% of the shares to community investors.

When wind turbine operator Buergerwindpark Galmsbuell GmbHthe decided to “replant” the old wind energy site at Marienkoog, Germany with fewer more powerful wind turbines, local people were offered a third of the shares in the new 7 turbine wind energy project. Altogether, in what is dubbed the Galmsbüll Bürgerwindpark (citizens’ wind energy project), of which Marienkoog is part, a total of 240 wind farm neighbours invested €5 million.

Many believe that as a result there has been more acceptance of the new larger (Siemens 3.6 Megawatt) wind turbines in the landscape of this rural area. The local council also receives income from the business taxes paid by the wind energy project operators.

Last year, the new wind turbines at Marienkoog produced more electricity than expected, generating a healthy return to the community investors.

Jess Jessen, farmer and one of the people involved in developing the Marienkoog scheme said “We have a very strong relationship with the communities in North Friesland, If you have so many local people involved you get greater acceptance.”

On the remote north coast of Scotland, near Banff, Falck Renewables built 7 turbines on the old Boyndie Airfield. Bondie Co-op was established in 2005 to allow the community in Banffshire to own a share in the first wind energy co-operative for Scotland.

Co-op members receive annual interest on their investment. The minimum investment is set at £250 to ensure the broadest possible membership.

Following the success of Boyndie, Falck Renewables introduced a community share scheme for their Isle of Skye, Ben Aketil wind farm. The Isle of Skye Renewables Co-op purchased a stake in the Ben Aketil wind farm in January 2008. The 570 members, each with a shareholding ranging from £250 to £20,000 will receive annual interest on their shares.

The Ben Aketil wind farm comprises ten 2.3MW Enercon wind turbines. Construction of the wind energy project began in September and power started to be generated in November 2007. The ten turbines generate enough green energy to supply around 14,000 homes.

Further south near Oxford, England, five wind turbines making up Westmill Wind Energy project were commissioned in March 2008. The project was developed by an independent farmer – Adam Twine further to protracted planning issues over the size of the wind turbines. The wind energy project produces enough green electricity to power more than 2,500 homes and is unusual in the UK as it is 100% community owned.

In March, Westmill wind energy project completed its first year of operation as 250 shareholder members of the co-op gathered for its Annual General Meeting. Since commissioning last year Westmill wind farm has produced green energy totalling 11.5GWh, within 5% of the predicted output of 12GWh.

Westmill director Adam Twine said: “This is a great reward for the 2,400 individuals and organizations that make up Westmill Co-op and who almost exactly three years ago, raised the 4.5 million of capital needed to purchase the wind turbines; its also positive encouragement for other community groups who are considering embarking on similar initiatives and in its own small way, its a successful, local initiative working to avert catastrophic climate change. We just need more!”

To investigate if there is a community ownership scheme near you in the UK visit the not for profit Energy4All website.