Ripple Energy has marked the opening of a consumer-owned wind farm with a light show which projects the names of the owners of the turbine onto its tower.
Rather than being owned by Ripple, 907 owners contributed a total £2.2m for the Graig Fatha wind turbine.
The Graig Fatha wind turbine in Coedely, South Wales, enables customers to own their own source of electricity.
Ripple Energy chief executive Sarah Merrick said: “This project demonstrates how wind farm ownership can free consumers from volatile, high energy prices and dependence on imported energy.
“Ripple’s 907 members will be generating their own low cost, green energy for the next 25 years. This shows better energy solutions, that give people real power, are available today.
“It is an emotional moment and one that we’ve been waiting for since we founded Ripple in 2017. Our members believe passionately in the power of green energy.
“This is their wind farm; they’ve made it happen; they’ll get its electricity. Projecting their names onto the turbine feels like wonderful recognition of what they’ve achieved.”
Ripple said it estimates owners will see average annual savings of around 25% on their energy bills across the turbine’s 25-year lifespan.
Current high prices mean the average Graig Fatha owner is set to save £340 over the coming year.
Most members own enough of the wind farm to meet their entire homes’ consumption.
Sarah added: “With energy prices at their highest in a generation, now is the perfect time to own your own source of low cost, green power.
“By owning a wind farm you can reduce your energy bills and stabilise them for the long term. Fortunately, there is still time to do just that by signing up to be a part of our second wind farm in Scotland, which is open for members today.”
Graig Fatha development was supported by a £1.1m grant by the Welsh Government, as well as the 907 members shares.
Ripple’s second wind farm in Ayrshire, Scotland, is open for membership now at rippleenergy.com, with thousands of people having already signed up to become wind farm owners.
Consumers can choose how much of a wind farm they would like to purchase, starting at as little as £25.
Ripple member Michael Chamberlain said: “I am proud to be a Ripple member as it is a pioneering model that facilitates individuals and families to directly join with others to collectively reduce or eliminate their carbon footprint by co-investing in a source of renewable energy.
“It is also the first option that separates the home from the generation which makes it accessible to more people.”
The electricity generated by the Graig Fatha wind farm is sold to Co-op Energy, powered by Octopus, which subsequently supplies the owners with discounted electricity.