Thrive Renewables has provided a £4m loan to a Bristol-based community group so that it can build the biggest wind turbine in England.
Groundwork for the site near Lawrence Weston, Bristol, is expected to start in June, with the 115-metre diameter,150-metre tip height turbine becoming operational in spring 2023.
The turbine, owned by Ambition Community Energy, will have a maximum capacity of 4.2MW.
Thrive Renewables managing director Matthew Clayton said: “It’s extremely impressive to see the determination and resilience Ambition Community Energy has shown in getting the project to this stage.
“Thrive’s unique collaborative funding model will enable them to get the turbine built and operational after years of planning work.
“Locally owned projects such as these will play a fundamental role in the future energy system, providing clean electricity that will help to reduce bills and generate revenue that can be plugged back into the community.
“It’s also great to see such significant grassroots support for onshore wind and local people taking control of energy resources.”
The turbine will provide a new revenue stream for the local community in Lawrence Weston, as all profits from electricity sales will be reinvested back into the area, acting as a driver for regeneration.
The group also plan to build an Energy Learning Zone to inspire young people and provide training to upskill residents for zero carbon careers.
Mark Pepper, development manager at Ambition Lawrence Weston, said: “The money generated from the wind turbine will go a long way to address the historic fuel and general poverty that Lawrence Weston continues to suffer.
“It will help fund and run our planned new community building. This centre will deliver the community and climate development action plans, written by the residents, and a renewable energy and construction skills academy.
“These actions will ensure we are well placed to benefit from any ‘just energy transition’ that may happen.”
Andrew Garrad, visiting professor in renewable energy at the University of Bristol and director of Ambition Community Energy CIC, said: “I have spent over 40 years working in wind energy all over the world.
“Although this is England’s biggest onshore turbine, it’s my smallest ever project. That does not mean it’s been the simplest though – far from it!
“Community energy schemes are difficult and receive no government encouragement. We hope to be able to use our experience to make them easier, so that other communities can make a contribution to the UK’s zero-carbon goal.
“In 2021, 39% of the UK’s electricity was produced by renewables. It’s time to let community projects boost that figure.”