Consumer-owned Wind Farm Operational Early 2024

Construction of the UK’s largest consumer-owned wind farm has begun in Kirkoswald, Ayrshire, as blades begin to be lifted onto the eight turbines at the Kirk Hill Wind Farm.

More than 5,600 members from households and businesses across Scotland, England and Wales part own the site. Members of the co-operative should benefit from the low cost, renewable energy it generates once operational in early 2024. The average predicted first year bill saving for its 5,600 members is £269.

Managed and run by Ripple Energy, the wind farm will have a total capacity of 18.8MW, with the potential to power around 20,000 households and businesses.

Sarah Merrick, founder and chief executive of Ripple Energy, said:

“From the moment the turbines left the factories and made their journey across the Mediterranean and into the Port of Ayr, our members have been avidly following their journey.

“Those who want a zero-carbon future can now part-own renewable energy projects, and directly benefit from lower and more stable electricity bills over the long-term.”

Ripple Energy started the UK’s first consumer owned wind farm with a single turbine at Graig Fatha Wind Farm in south Wales, which has been supplying its owners with low-cost electricity since March 2022.

Kirk Hill Wind Farm came next, representing the second largest amount of equity raised by a UK co-operative society for a green energy project (£13.2m) – and is set to be energised early 2024.

Derill Water Solar Park in Devon is the first shared solar park in the UK and the brand’s biggest project to date, ahcieving the highest ever single raise in the history of a UK co-operative (more than £20m) – and is set to be energised late summer 2024.

Source: Insider UK