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The UK’s first consumer-owned wind farm has begun generating power, Ripple Energy has announced.
The company marked the occasion with a light show, projecting the names of the 907 owners of the Graig Fatha wind farm, who collectively contributed £2.2 million, onto the tower of its single 2.5MW turbine at Coedely in South Wales.
The people who bought shares in the project will be entitled to receive the power generated from their stake via partnered suppliers, with savings being applied to their electricity bill that reflect that the difference between market prices and the wind farm’s operating costs.
Ripple Energy estimates that the owners will on average save £340 this year and 25% on their electricity bills over the turbine’s 25-year lifespan.
Its 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.”
In February, Ripple Energy opened membership for its second project – the 18.8MW Kirk Hill wind farm in Ayrshire in Scotland.
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