Our Changeprint
Our Changeprint can be measured by the amount of renewable electricity generated annually by the community wind turbine; the amount of greenhouse gas emissions saved; the number of homes powered; annual income generated for community projects from turbine operations; the number of local households benefiting from fuel poverty or energy efficiency initiatives funded by the project, and the level of community participation and support.
Our story
Ambition Lawrence Weston (ALW), a community charity, identified the potential to develop a wind turbine on nearby Bristol City Council-owned land over 5 years ago. This could not only generate extra renewable energy but also provide a long-term income to deliver the Lawrence Weston Community Plan, including tackling fuel poverty.
Mark Pepper, who is Development Manager at ALW, said "We have 3,200 homes in Lawrence Weston, with some suffering from poor insulation and low-energy efficiency, which impacts on fuel poverty. We believe this is the tallest wind turbine to be given planning in England and as a deprived community, we are one of the first to endeavour with this type of project".
The charity has set up Ambition Community Energy Community Interest Company (ACE CIC) to develop and manage the project. David Tudgey, Project Development Manager at ACE CIC, added "Residents have led and shaped the project and when surveyed have shown overwhelming support both for renewable energy and for this community-led onshore wind turbine project".
The West of England Combined Authority awarded a £500,000 capital grant to this innovative, onshore wind turbine in Avonmouth, Bristol as part of its Local Energy Scheme. The project is being developed by the local community in Lawrence Weston, working collaboratively with its partner organisations. The funding comes from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Our advice
Community engagement is crucial. Residents have led and shaped this project, which has been vital to its success so far.
