Ethos Public Relations Manchester

Investing in a greener future for kids

by Ethos Admin

Knowing how to invest in your children's or grandchildren's future is a common investment dilemma, but investment in a community-owned wind energy co operative offers both a future investment pot and a greener future for the next generation.

Drumlin Wind Energy Co-operative has plans to operate five 250kW wind turbines north of Belfast and parents and grandparents across the UK are being given the opportunity to invest between £250 and £20,000 on behalf of their children and grandchildren in this green energy project.

The co-operative plans to raise £3.4 million through its share offer, which is open until the end of November, and to date it has secured over £1.7 million.

The average annual return over 20 years for an investment on behalf of a child is projected to be 7.2% and year one returns are projected to be 3.5%.

Drumlin director Paul Phare said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for parents and grandparents looking to make a green investment for their children. Such an investment would not only demonstrate a commitment to their child's financial future but to a sustainable future for our planet.

"Drumlin Wind Energy Co operative offers a new and progressive model for doing business – one which rewards people for their direct investment in renewable energy. Wind energy co-operatives like Drumlin give people the opportunity to make a positive contribution to the issue of combating climate change."

Whilst Drumlin is the first Wind Energy Co operative in Northern Ireland, similar schemes in Great Britain and across Europe are hugely successful.

Recent research carried out by ICM for the Co-operative Group shows that 68% of people in the UK would support a community owned wind turbine being erected within two miles of their home.

To date Drumlin has attracted a wide range of investors including the Fermanagh Trust and Bryson Energy, which both invested the maximum amount of £20,000, as well as prominent environmentalist, Jonathon Porritt who publicly invested in and backed the scheme. Details of the share offer can be found at www.drumlin.coop.

Case study

Sacha Workman (pictured) and Husband Michael Harper from Co. Down have invested £10,000 for each of their two children.

Sacha is a passionate advocate for renewable energy and believes in putting her money where her mouth is.

The 20 year investment for her two children, 11 and 13, will be held in trust until they are old enough to manage the money themselves.

She wanted to make an investment that was ethical, helped create jobs and utilised local natural resources. In the 1830s, she says, there were over 100 windmills in Northern Ireland for milling grain. “Wind energy is part of our industrial heritage, so why not use it today to secure energy supplies for the future.”

"I don't want my children asking me later why I made unethical investments on their behalf. This sort of long-term investment is ideal for them and the planet."

Posted at 6^th November 2012

Northern Ireland’s first wind energy co-operative offers green investment opportunity

by Ethos Admin

Ethical investors in Great Britain are being encouraged to look across the Irish Sea and invest in Northern Ireland’s first community-owned wind energy co-operative.

Drumlin Wind Energy Co-operative has plans to operate five 250kW wind turbines north of Belfast and has already secured funding of £1.6 million which will fund the first two turbines.

Individuals, businesses and organisations looking to support a move to greener energy are being given the chance to invest between £250 and £20,000 in the co-operative. In addition to its strong environmental credentials, investments in the scheme are eligible for Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) Tax Relief at 30% and will offer investors an average annual return of 7% to 10% over 20 years.

Drumlin director Paul Phare said: "We have been delighted with the interest in this unique investment opportunity across Northern Ireland and we are now extending the share offer so more ethical investors across Britain can benefit.

"Drumlin Wind Energy Co-operative offers a new and progressive model for doing business – one which rewards people for their direct investment in renewable energy. Wind energy co-operatives like Drumlin give people the opportunity to make a positive contribution to the issue of combating climate change."

Whilst Drumlin is the first Wind Energy Co-operative in Northern Ireland, similar schemes in Great Britain and across Europe are hugely successful.

Drumlin Wind Energy Co-operative is being developed by wind power specialists, NRG Solutions, a Belfast-based developer, working in partnership with Energy4All, the UK’s leading expert in community-owned renewable energy schemes.

By forming co-operatives with democratic member involvement, Energy4All aims to maximise the social, economic, and environmental benefits of renewable energy schemes to the community.

To date Drumlin has attracted a wide range of investors including the Fermanagh Trust and Bryson Energy, which both invested the maximum amount of £20,000, as well as prominent environmentalist, Jonathon Porritt who publicly invested in and backed the scheme. Details of the share offer can be found at www.drumlin.coop

Posted at 10^th October 2012

Devon residents urged to embrace the power of wind for Global Wind Day

by Ethos public relations

As people across the world gear up for Global Wind Day (Friday 15 June 2012), Devon residents are being encouraged to make a community-owned renewable energy scheme in Devon a reality.

The Devon Community Wind Co-operative (DCWC) is being set-up with the aim of owning three projects across the county, giving the people of Devon the opportunity to make a positive contribution to the issues of climate change and invest in the turbines.

The three sites, which are being developed by ClearWinds working in partnership with Energy4All, are Torr Quarry Community Wind Farm, near Kingsbridge in South Hams, comprising of two medium-scale wind turbines, and Waytown Community Wind Turbine at Inwardleigh in West Devon and Rye Park Community Wind Turbine near Bratton Fleming in North Devon, each comprising one single medium-scale wind turbine.

All the turbines will have a hub-height of 50m and a maximum height to the blade tip of 78m and will have a 25 year life. John Malone, Development Director at Energy4All, says: “In order for the proposed Devon Community Wind Co-operative to succeed, we very much want the people of Devon to get behind it in any way they can.

“The intention is that all three projects will be owned by the new co-operative. And we are encouraging people from all walks of life to get involved, with first priority being given to people living close to the projects and then to Devon residents. This is a real opportunity to make a very practical contribution to the fight against climate change whilst earning a return on an ethical investment.”

John Malone adds: “We have a great opportunity now, to really start making inroads into creating a ‘greener’ and more energy self sufficient county.”

The Devon Community Wind Co-operative welcomes the support of Devon residents to create a greener Devon. For those interested in supporting the wind energy projects, helping with the set-up of the co-operative, being involved in discussions about the community funds or simply would like to be kept informed, please visit www.devonwind.coop or contact John Malone, Development Director at Energy4All on 01229 821028 or email info@energy4all.co.uk.

For more information about Energy4All and its projects, please visit www.energy4all.co.uk or to find out more about ClearWinds visit www.clearwinds.co.uk.

For more news from Energy4All click here

Posted at 15^th June 2012

Devon residents invited to join Devon Community Wind Co-operative

by Ethos public relations

With the Prime Minister reaffirming his commitment to community-led renewable energy initiatives, people in Devon have the opportunity to make a positive contribution to the issues of climate change with the proposed Devon Community Wind Co-operative.

The Devon-wide wind energy co-operative will be the subject of public open evenings in March and Energy4All, the UK’s leading expert in community-owned renewable energy schemes, is urging Devon residents to attend the events and support the project.

“We very much welcome recent calls for more community involvement in renewable energy. This project offers Devon residents the chance to do this and to ensure that the benefits remain in the local area”, says John Malone, Development Director at Energy4All.

The aim is for the new co-operative to own and operate two medium sized wind turbines at Bratton Fleming in North Devon and at Higher Torr in South Hams. The two sites will each have an installed capacity of up to 1.5MW and are being developed by wind power specialists, ClearWinds, working in partnership with Energy4All.

The intention is that the whole project will be owned by the new co-operative which will offer the opportunity for local residents and people living across Devon to purchase a stake and to receive annual share interest payments from the sale of the electricity generated by the turbines.

The project will also provide a fund for use on energy efficiency and climate change awareness projects in the local area.

“Membership of the proposed Devon-wide wind energy co-operative provides an opportunity for people to engage in an active way with the issues of climate change and energy insecurity,” John Malone adds. “And I would encourage anyone who is interested in finding out more about the project to come along to the open evenings.”

Devon residents are invited to find out more about the proposed Devon-wide wind energy co-operative at the following events:

-  Wednesday 21 March, 7:30pm to 9:00pm, at The Kings Arms Hotel, 93 Forestreet, Kingsbridge, TQ7 1AB

-  Thursday 22 March, 7:30pm to 9:00pm, at The Castle Centre, 25 Castle Street, Barnstaple, EX31 1DR.

The open evenings will provide attendees with background information about co-operatives, including the ethics, values and principles of co-operative enterprises.

John Malone, Development Director at Energy4All, will explain how the co-operative will work and will discuss the funding aspect of the project. He will also provide further details about how local people can get involved in the project and what needs to happen next in order to get the project up and running.

For more information about the Devon Community Wind Co-operative open evenings or to find out more about Energ4All and its projects, please contact John Malone, Development Director at Energy4All on 01229 821028 or email info@energy4all.co.uk.

For more information about Energy4All and its projects, please visit www.energy4all.co.uk or to find out more about ClearWinds visit www.clearwinds.co.uk.

To read other news from Energy4All click here.

Posted at 6^th March 2012

Devon residents have opportunity to shake up energy market

by Ethos public relations

As a new report calls on the government to overhaul the “closed shop” energy market, the UK’s leading expert in community-owned renewable energy schemes is urging Devon residents to support new co-operatively owned wind energy projects in North Devon and South Hams.

Energy4All, a not-for-profit organisation that facilitates and supports community ownership of renewable energy generation in the UK, says the study by social and economic think-tank ResPublica, is a positive step for all those who believe in co-operative solutions to climate change.

John Malone, Development Director at Energy4All, says: “We very much welcome the report, which advises government to ‘embrace community schemes’ and warns that failure to support the community sector will have serious consequences on the government’s climate change, emissions and fuel poverty targets.”

He adds: “The proposed co-operative will provide an opportunity for the people of Devon to contribute to this transformation of the energy market and to engage with the issues of climate change and energy insecurity.

“Devon is almost totally dependent on its neighbours for its electricity and this project offers the chance to begin to put that right in a way that benefits local people rather than major corporations. Co-operatives are democratically run on a one member, one vote principle, ensuring control by the ordinary members.”

The aim is for the new Devon Community Wind Co-operative to own and operate two medium sized wind turbines at Bratton Fleming in North Devon and at Higher Torr in South Hams. The two sites will each have an installed capacity of up to 1.5MW and are being developed by ClearWinds working in partnership with Energy4All.

The intention is that the whole project will be owned by the new co-operative which will offer the opportunity for local residents and people living across Devon to purchase a stake and to receive annual share interest payments from the sale of the electricity generated by the turbines. The projects will also provide a fund for use on energy efficiency and climate change awareness projects in the local area.

The Devon Community Wind Co-operative would welcome your support.

If you are interested in supporting the wind energy projects, helping with the set-up of the co-operative, being involved in discussions about the community funds or simply would like to be kept informed then please contact John Malone, Development Director at Energy4All on 01229 821028 or email info@energy4all.co.uk.

For more information about Energy4All and its projects, please visit www.energy4all.co.uk or to find out more about ClearWinds visit www.clearwinds.co.uk.

To read other news from Energy4All click here.

Posted at 22^nd February 2012

Planning Committee threaten Scottish Government’s renewable targets

by Ethos public relations

The refusal of a planning application for two wind turbines at Cartland Muir by South Lanarkshire Council, undermines the Scottish Government’s target of 500MW of renewable energy in community ownership by 2020.

Paul Phare, Scottish Development Manager at Energy4All, the organisation behind the proposed 5MW Clyde Valley Energy Co-operative, between Carluke and Lanark, said: “This decision from South Lanarkshire Council’s Planning Department really is a missed opportunity.

“The Committee is effectively denying the people of South Lanarkshire their opportunity to benefit from a 100 per cent community-owned renewable energy project and is preventing them from contributing to the Scottish Government’s plans to have 500MW of renewable energy in community ownership by 2020.”

Energy4All - a not-for-profit social enterprise which facilitates and supports community ownership of renewable energy generation in the UK - has been working with local people to develop an innovative community-owned wind scheme, in which thousands of local residents could have jointly owned and benefited from the natural resource on their doorstep.

“This scheme would have provided enough electricity to power 3,000 homes, or half of all homes in Carluke and the refusal could mean that local people are not going to have an opportunity to do their bit for Climate Change,” said Paul Phare.

According to Energy4All, the proposed local wind energy co-operative is within the guidelines of the Council’s policy on wind turbine projects and shouldn’t have been refused on the grounds stated.

Energy4All will now review the Planning Officer’s report and reasons for refusal and will consider all its options for taking the project forward.

For more information about Energy4All, please visit www.energy4all.co.uk/scotland.

To read other news from Energy4All click here.

Posted at 1^st December 2011

Proposed wind energy co-operative responds to attack from protest group

by Ethos public relations

Social enterprise, Energy4All Scotland, is advising local residents not to be influenced by inaccurate information being circulated by protestors trying to block plans to develop an innovative community-owned wind project at Cartland Muir.

“We are being targeted by a campaign of disinformation,” says Paul Phare, Scottish Development Manager at Energy4All. “We appreciate there are differing views about wind energy projects, but the protestors are trying to halt what could be a significant local asset to the wider community who may wish to invest in alternative energy and do something positive for climate change.”

A planning application for two wind turbines, which will make up the proposed 5MW Clyde Valley Energy Co-operative, between Carluke and Lanark was submitted on 17th June. Since then, Energy4All, has learned that an email is being distributed to local residents in an attempt to encourage them to write to planners and oppose the development.

“The email is unhelpful because it is more an attempt to spread misinformation than engage in proper debate, said Paul. “Of course some people may have concerns around the planning application and if that’s the case let’s have an honest, transparent debate so that we can present the facts.”

Energy4All points out two particular examples of misinformation in the email:

One which states:  ‘There is no perceived benefit to the local community despite the company describing themselves as a community based co-operative.’

“Energy4All exists to create the opportunity for communities to individually and collectively benefit from renewable energy projects,” Paul Phare explains. “Energy4All has successfully delivered seven other wind co-operatives in the UK.

“Should this project be granted consent, local people will be invited to become members of the Clyde Valley Energy Co-operative, which will own and operate this project, and they will receive an attractive financial return on their investment. Any surpluses will be used for the benefit of the communities living close to the turbines.

“Energy4All is the only organisation in the UK that develops a wind project, and then invites local people to own, operate and directly benefit from it.”

And the other, which states: ‘It has been reported in the press that several turbines have broken causing flying debris. The blades will also throw ice in the winter which has the potential to cause severe harm and injury to people and property.’

“Again, fitting turbines with sensors and applying shutdown scenarios prevents ice throw,” says Paul Phare. “Turbine failures are very rare events; modern day operational analysis of performance – including any of the sensors installed – can predict and prevent catastrophic failure such as blade damage in most cases. Wind energy is one of the safest energy technologies. It is a matter of record that no member of the public has ever been injured during the normal operation of a wind turbine.”

Other inaccuracies in the protestors’ email are around noise and shadow flicker (strobing) and Energy4All has responded to all the points raised in the email, so that the public can make up their own mind about wind turbines.

Paul Phare adds: “The People of Carluke and Lanark are being deliberately misinformed by the protestors and we hope that the environmentally aware people within the region will see these statements for what they are and make up their own minds about whether the proposal has merit.”

For more information about Energy4All, please visit www.energy4all.co.uk/scotland.

To read other news from Energy4All click here.

Posted at 19^th July 2011

Treasury’s announcement offers opportunity for community-owned renewable energy schemes

by Ethos public relations

The Treasury’s announcement  (Thursday 7 July) that it is to reverse a decision that renewable energy initiatives benefitting from the feed-in tariff would no longer qualify for the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS), has been welcomed by the UK’s leading expert in community-owned renewable energy schemes.

Energy4All, a not-for-profit organisation that facilitates and supports community ownership of renewable energy generation in the UK, says the reversal is a great result for all those who believe in co-operative solutions to climate change.

“We welcome this announcement and we are grateful that the government has acknowledged the role co-operative and community-led renewable energy initiatives can make,” said Marna McMillin, chief executive of Energy4All.

The initial decision, that renewable energy initiatives benefitting from the feed-in tariff would no longer qualify for the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS), a tax relief for investors in small high risk businesses, was met with dismay by communities across the UK, as it would have severely disadvantaged communities hoping to benefit from local renewable energy schemes.

“Now that this has been reversed,” Ms McMillin added, “there are more opportunities for co-operatively-owned wind energy projects throughout the UK.

“Collectively, individuals and communities can make a much greater contribution to the renewable energy revolution than they can acting alone. A co-operatively-owned wind farm is a much stronger use of community skills and capabilities than, say, a commercial one that simply pays some money into a community fund.”

Community co-operatives offer the opportunity for local residents to purchase a stake in the projects and receive an annual share interest payment from the income.

Membership of the co-operative provides an opportunity for people to engage in an active way with the issues of climate change and energy insecurity.

The projects also provide a fund for use by local communities on energy efficiency and climate change awareness projects.

Energy4All, which was formed in 2002, has created seven renewable energy co-operatives across the UK, and is continuing to develop additional projects up and down the country.

For more information about Energ4All and its projects, please visit www.energy4all.co.uk.

To read other news from Energy4All click here.

Posted at 12^th July 2011

Devon residents invited to join energy co-operative

by Ethos public relations

Plans to build new community-owned wind turbines in North Devon and South Hams will be the subject of public exhibitions taking place early next month.

The co-operatively-owned wind energy projects are being proposed by Energy4All – a not-for-profit social enterprise which facilitates and supports community ownership of renewable energy generation in the UK - and wind power specialists, ClearWinds.

According to a survey carried out earlier this year, the majority of Devon residents support wind turbines and the idea of ‘green energy’. In fact 60 per cent of residents said they support the idea of community owned wind turbines in Devon, with almost two fifths saying they would be interested in investing in one.

Over two thirds (69 per cent) of residents said they wouldn’t mind seeing wind turbines from their home, if they were in the distance and 59 per cent said they would be happier about having a wind turbine in the local vicinity if it was owned by the local community.

ClearWinds are undertaking a range of studies to determine whether the proposed sites are appropriate for wind energy development. As part of these studies, planning applications for the installation of wind monitoring masts have been submitted to both councils.

If the projects go ahead, two turbines will be installed on each site and it is intended that the turbines will be owned and operated by a new Devon-wide wind energy co-operative.

John Malone, Development Director at Energy4All, says: “The Devon Community Wind Co-operative will offer the opportunity for Devon residents to purchase a stake in the projects and so receive an annual share interest payment from the income.

“Membership of the co-operative provides an opportunity for people to engage in an active way with the issues of climate change and energy insecurity. The project will also provide a fund for use by local communities on energy efficiency and climate change awareness projects. Therefore, I would encourage people to visit the information sessions.”

Devon residents are being invited to find out more about the proposed Devon-wide wind energy co-operative at the following events:

- Monday 11th July, 1:30pm to 7:30pm, at Bratton Fleming Village Hall

- Tuesday 12th July, 1pm to 6pm, at Boston Tea Party, Tuly Street, Barnstaple

- Wednesday 13th July, 1:30pm to 7:30pm, at Torr Quarry Recycling Centre, Kingsbridge (weather permitting)

- Thursday 14th July, 1:30pm to 7:30pm, at The Reel Cinema foyer, Fore Street, Kingsbridge.

For more information about Energ4All and its projects, please visit www.energy4all.co.uk.

To read other news from Energy4All click here.

Posted at 29^th June 2011

Clyde Valley residents urged to join energy co-operative

by Ethos public relations

People in Carluke and Lanark are being invited to find out about an innovative community-owned wind project planned for the Clyde Valley.

The proposed site for Clyde Valley Energy Co-operative is in the Cartland Muir Plantation, between the towns of Carluke and Lanark, and will consist of two wind turbines, which will produce enough electricity to power 3,000 homes, or half of all homes in Carluke.

“Clyde Valley Energy Co-operative will be a wholly community-owned enterprise in which thousands of local residents can jointly own and benefit directly from the natural resource on their doorstep,” says Paul Phare, Scottish Development Manager at Energy4All.

Energy4All, is the UK’s leading expert in community owned renewable energy schemes, and will be hosting local meetings to unveil plans to create a co-operatively-owned wind project.

According to Paul Phare: “The community wind co-operative model with one member/one vote has been successfully developed at sites in the Great Glen, Sutherland, Aberdeenshire and on Skye. The co-operatives have become a source of local pride and bring real benefits to the local community as well as giving local people the opportunity to benefit from an attractive annual income.”

To launch the project, the public are being invited to find out more at the following events:

Saturday 2nd April (11am-4pm) at South Larnarkshire Lifestyles in Carluke and

Saturday 9th April (11am-4pm) at Lifestyle Harry Smith Complex in Lanark.

For more information about Energy4All, please visit www.energy4all.co.uk/scotland.

To read other news from Energy4All click here.

Posted at 23^rd March 2011

Torrance Farm Wind-Farm project approved

by Ethos public relations

The Torrance Farm Community Wind Energy project is set to become the largest community-owned wind farm in the UK, following the granting of planning permission by North Lanarkshire Council.

Development partners Energy4All and FutureSpectrum, working with the local community, will now help set up the new co-operative that will build, own and operate the wind turbines.

Torrance Farm is situated just north of the M8 motorway at Harthill. This location meets the criteria outlined by North Lanarkshire Council's policy and guidelines as being suitable for renewable energy developments with minimum impact on the environment.

The Torrance Farm Community Wind Co-operative will consist of 3 turbines. The turbines will have a maximum height of 125m creating an installed capacity of 10MW of green energy - enough to power 5600 homes a year.

Energy4All’s chief executive, Marna McMillin, commented: “This is a great result for all those who believe in co-operative solutions to climate change. Collectively, individuals and communities can make a much greater contribution to the renewable energy revolution than they can acting alone.

“The support we’ve received from the local community in Harthill, and from Harthill and Eastfield Community Council in particular, has been fantastic. Our next steps will be to form the co-op, and to put together a detailed prospectus that will describe the project to potential members. Once a share issue is underway, individuals will be invited to invest between £250 and £20,000. This is also a great day for co-operation. A co-operatively-owned wind farm is a much stronger use of community skills and capabilities than, say, a commercial one that simply pays some money into a community fund.”

Energy4All has a register open for potential members to register their interest – at www.energy4all.co.uk.

To read other news from Energy4All click here.

Posted at 28^th February 2011

Majority of Devon residents support wind turbines

by Ethos public relations

We’re not as ‘green’ as we think we are according to a new survey carried out in Devon. Results show that local residents support the idea of ‘green energy’, but massively overestimate the amount of electricity generated from wind power in the county.

On average, residents think that 8% of electricity used in Devon comes from local wind turbines. In reality, less than 1% of energy used comes from wind power generated in the county.

“This implies that Devon residents think they are using more green energy than they actually are,” says John Malone, Development Director at Energy4All, who commissioned the survey.

Nearly 8 out of 10 Devonians over-estimate the proportion of electricity which comes from wind turbines based in Devon and the majority of residents (56%) think that more than 5% of the county’s electricity comes from local wind power.

“Currently there are only three operational commercial wind turbines in Devon,” explains John, “but based on the number of people in the county and comparable figures across the UK, there should be at least 43!”

Energy4All is the UK’s leading expert in community owned renewable energy schemes, and the survey reveals an appetite amongst residents in Devon for renewable energy.

The survey reveals:

- Over two thirds (69%) of residents wouldn’t mind seeing wind turbines from their home, if they were in the distance

- 60% of residents support the idea of community owned wind turbines in Devon, with almost two fifths interested in investing in one

- The majority (59%) of residents would be happier about having a wind turbine in the local vicinity if it was owned by the local community

- Over half (52%) of residents prefer seeing wind turbines in groups of less than 10.

John Malone adds: “This survey shows that support for renewable wind energy is high in Devon and that opposition to wind turbines on the grounds of visual impact is not as strong as often reported or perceived.

“There is a clear mandate among Devon residents for concentrating future electricity production on renewable sources and the vast majority of all age groups – both men and women – would like to see future electricity production from renewables.”

The research was conducted by Blue Marble Research Ltd (www.bluemarbleresearch.co.uk), an independent market research agency. The survey comprised 301 telephone interviews with a sample of Devon residents conducted between 4th and 12th January 2011. Quotas were set according to age and gender to ensure the survey was representative of the population profile of Devon.

To read other news from Energy4All click here.

Posted at 8^th February 2011