Lessons from community energy projects in Wales

A brief overview

Matthew Leese

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• Energy Efficiency

• Fuel Poverty

• Renewable Energy

• Education

Our Activities

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Talk overview• Context• Available sustainable energy resources• Welsh approach• Case studies

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How energy is used in Wales• Total Energy

– split across transport, electricity and heating– total energy consumption is 125kWh/d/p– Electricity only: 22kWh/d/p (18kWh/d/p in UK)

• Domestic total energy demand– 25 kWh/d/p– >3 GW demanded – every second– 20,215kWh/home/yr

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Sustainable energy resources

• Wind – abundant, wide spread

• Onshore hydro – plenty of rain!

• Offshore hydro – some of the UKs best tidal flow

• Solar – in the south is best

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The Wales approach“Our aim is to produce more electricity from renewables than we consume as a

nation within 20 years.”

One Wales: One Planet, a new Sustainable Development Scheme for Wales, p. 55

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The Wales approach -helping communities

• Wales has world leading agenda– PD rights for some installations from 2009 using

devolved rights– Encouragement through active Assembly Minister– Renewable Energy Route Map– One Wales: One Planet, a new Sustainable Development

Scheme for Wales

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The Wales approachPlanning Policy

– TAN 8: Renewable Energy (incl. SSAs for wind)

– TAN 12: Design

– TAN 22: Sustainable Buildings (2010) (mandatory CSH)

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Action on small/community-scale renewables will include: initial £15m EU funding supporting 22 community energy projects maximising the significant benefits of providing domestic heat through renewable

means in all our programmes supporting the early introduction of a UK renewable heat incentive scheme working with stakeholders to encourage the take-up of renewable energy financial

incentives from micro- to macro-scale projects championing the potential benefits of feed-in tariffs for community renewable energy

projects encouraging the piloting of smart-grid technology in Wales small-scale renewables support through the Welsh planning system providing domestic renewables as part of our Home Energy Efficiency Scheme promoting local energy generation, including as part of public sector schemes and

procurements Working towards zero carbon homes by 2016

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HELP!!!

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PPS services offered

1. Feasibility Study• Consultancy work• Confirm site technical feasibility• Initial statutory consultations• Scoping/planning• Approximate financial forecasts

2. Secure Site• Option and Lease?• Purchase/own?

3. Business Development• Constitution and Company registration

(IPS? LLP? CIC?)• Capacity/skills assessment

Benefits to be acquired

1. Local skills, employment and capacity in renewable energy social enterprise

2. Reduce CO2 emissions3. Non-government income4. Increase energy security - potentially5. Possible protection from rising world

energy prices

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0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 140

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Freq. distribution of wind after 1 year

Wind speed m/s

Per

cent

age

of ti

me

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Roch• Measured wind resource: 5.0 m/s

• NOABL wind estimate: 5.7 m/s• Turbine quote: ~£54,000

– £25,000 PPS– £20,000 reserves– £9,000 pledges/loans

• Annual income: ~£7,600

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PSEEG• Modelled wind resource: 7.0 m/s

• Met monitoring imminent• Turbine size: 800 kW (E53)• Turbine quote: est. £1,500,000

– £0 PPS– £300,000 Ynnir Fro Loan?– £1.2m bank loan?

• Annual income: ~£293,00027

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Newport• Solar resource: 3.22 kWh/d (PVGIS)• West-Southwest facing roof• Proposed array size: circa. 17kW• Array cost: est. £56,000

– £25,000 PPS– £10,000 Other funding– £remaining community pledges

• Annual income: ~£4-5,00030

Lessons learnt

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Lessons learnt• Hindrances and delays

– Planning, objectors, enthusiasm, remoteness– Cost, funding, expertise– Other statutory consultees– Special designations

• Positives and encouragements– Planning, supporters, enthusiasm, remoteness– Funding, expertise (social capital)

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Thank youQuestions?

Matthew Leesematt@ecocentre.org.uk

01239 821907

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