Barrow in Furness, UK [RenewableEnergyWorld.com] Two operational wind turbines have been purchased by a UK group to form the first community-owned wind farm in the UK’s East Midlands. The purchase follows a successful share offer which raised more than £2.6 million [US $3.88 million] from the 1100 members of Fens Co-op to buy the project from the developer, Fenland Windfarms Ltd.
Groups and individuals were able to invest as little as £250 [US $373]. In addition, Enterprise Investment Scheme Tax relief should be available for investments of £500 [US $748] and above. The group now owns the two 2-megawatt (MW) REpower machines at the site at Deeping St Nicholas on the Lincolnshire/Cambridgeshire border.
“We are delighted that the desire of local people to own their own wind farm has come about. We have had enormous support for this project and are proud that there are now community-owned wind turbines in the area,” said Paul Rea, chairman of the Fens Co-op. “There is a high demand for community ownership and whenever people are given the opportunity to have a financial stake in a wind farm, the uptake is very encouraging.”
