Green Energy Republic

Chris Huhne talks to Good Energy

 

 
The Delabole launch was a great opportunity to ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change for his views on renewables and other issues close to our hearts.

Is this your first visit to Delabole and the wind farm? What are your impressions?

It is an honour to visit the site of the UK’s first wind farm, and I am delighted to be able to attend the opening of the new wind farm with its new increased generating capacity. 

What role do you see onshore wind playing in the UK’s future renewable energy fuel mix?

It’s one of the more cost-effective and established renewable technologies. Onshore wind farms are flexible in size: they can be deployed effectively on a small scale by local communities or individuals, or on a much larger scale as part of a commercial generator’s portfolio.

We have to make sure electricity consumers don’t pay more than is necessary to decarbonise UK electricity supplies. Supporting onshore wind as part of the overall mix is a great way to do so.

At the moment there’s about 4GW of installed generating capacity in the UK. To ensure onshore wind is viable for developers, we provide them with financial support through the Renewables Obligation, which pays out only for the electricity generated by each turbine – so there’s no upfront payment to cover capital costs, for instance.

As a result, generators have an incentive to look for the windiest spots in the UK to locate turbines, because that’s the most cost-effective – their profits are directly related to wind speed.

We regularly review the banding levels under the Renewables Obligation. One of these reviews is under way at the moment, and we will go out to consultation this summer on our proposed bands.

How do you think communities should benefit from supporting renewable technology projects and how do you think developers should engage with communities near to those projects?

Communities hosting renewable energy projects should be rewarded for the contribution they are making to wider society. That’s why, in the Coalition Agreement, we announced that local authorities in England will be able to retain the business rates generated by renewable energy developments on behalf of individual communities.

I’m very pleased that the wind farm industry recently agreed minimum standards for the contributions that developers will make to community development in England.

Financial contributions might include investment in energy efficiency measures to reduce electricity bills, or cheaper electricity prices. That’s on top of any direct benefits to those living in the area, such as rent paid to landowners.

Why do you think there is often such vocal opposition to wind farm developments in the UK, particularly in certain press,  whereas other countries like Germany are proud of their wind farms?

Many people in the UK are actually in favour of onshore wind farms and recognise the benefits they can bring – for the environment, security of supply and the local economy.

But I know this isn’t true for everyone. England is particularly densely populated, so there are usually lots of people living near any new wind farm.

It’s important that wind farms are sited appropriately, and that developers are required to carry out a rigorous analysis of the impacts that their projects are likely to have on the local environment. When the Environmental Impact Assessments don’t add up, wind farms can be turned down.

But I think one of the main reasons for the level of opposition to wind farms has been that in the past people have sometimes felt that they have been imposed on their communities – rather than being developed through a process of close engagement. 

That’s why the Coalition Government is committed to changing the relationship between wind farm developments and the communities that host them. We’re reforming the planning system to give communities more power to determine the shape of places in which they live. 

How can individuals and communities benefit from small-scale renewable generation projects, such as solar panels?

Generators who qualify for feed-in tariffs (FITs) get paid for the electricity they generate -  and for any electricity they export. If they use any electricity onsite, they also save money on bills. We’re keen for local authorities to work with other partners and community scale renewable electricity schemes that can be supported by FITs.

Solar electricity will make a real contribution to meeting our challenging 2020 renewables target - to generate 15% of our energy from renewables. The South West has more solar energy than other regions in the UK.

A typical home photovoltaic (PV) system could save around 1 tonne of CO₂ per year – or 25 tonnes over its lifetime. For a well sited installation of under 4kW capacity the generator could receive about £900 a year. And even though the upfront costs are high, electricity bills will be reduced. A typical domestic PV system can produce around 40% of the electricity a household uses in a year.

There has been a lot of interest  in large-scale solar farm developments in Cornwall – how do you see the future for large-scale solar in the UK developing?

Large scale solar installations weren’t anticipated under the FITs scheme we inherited.  They could soak up money intended to help homes, communities and small businesses generate their own electricity.  There is a risk that an increasing number of large scale solar farms could push FITs costs off track.

Last Monday (7^th February) I announced a comprehensive review of FITs, along with fast-track consideration of large scale solar projects. We’ll make any changes to tariffs as soon as possible.

What are your  top three green tips for Good Energy customers?

• Insulate your home: Over half of the heat in an uninsulated home is lost through the walls and roof. Most UK homes don't have the recommended amount of insulation, so think about insulating both your loft and your cavity walls. 
• Turn Appliances Off Standby: The average household wastes around £40 a year simply by leaving appliances on standby. Remember:
  - you can't switch most electronic goods off just with the remote control
  - to turn off an appliance completely, use the power switch on the appliance itself or turn it off at the plug
  - if a charger or power pack is warm or has a light on, it's probably using power
• Buy Energy Efficient Appliances: Energy efficient appliances are easy to find and aren’t necessarily more expensive. Look out for appliances that carry the ‘Energy Saving Trust Recommended label’ which are among the top 20 per cent most efficient available; or the European Union energy label.  EU energy labels on fridges, freezers and washing machines show how energy efficient an appliance is on a scale of A to G. A is most efficient and G is least efficient.

 

Celebrating the second generation of onshore wind at Delabole

 

 
On Tuesday, we were delighted to welcome the Rt Hon Chris Huhne, MP, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, to open our newly redeveloped wind farm in Delabole, Cornwall. Local residents and school children joined the Good Energy team, our customers and generators for the celebrations.

Secretary of State, Chris Huhne says: “Delabole was the first commercial wind farm in the UK and, in its new form, it remains at the forefront of best practice.  On top of generating enough green electricity for 7,000 homes, a community fund will be making a direct contribution to projects in the local area.

“All too often, local communities can see the windfarms but not the windfall. ‪ ‪Wind is an abundant, clean, home-grown alternative to fossil fuels. It can’t be blown off course by instability abroad, and so it’s vital that we use it for our low carbon, energy security.

“The coalition is squarely behind the renewables sector.  We’ll all benefit in the long run from more projects like Delabole, and moves to help local people feel more immediate benefits of hosting a windfarm are crucial.”

Since 2002 Delabole has been owned and operated by Good Energy, and we’ve invested £11.8 million to redevelop it. We’re very excited to be taking Delabole into its second generation of onshore wind power, and the increased capacity of the new turbines demonstrates how successful innovation in this field has been over the last two decades. The original 10 wind turbines have been replaced with four more powerful ones with a total combined capacity of 9.2MW, enough to supply around 7,000 homes with electricity – more than double the previous output.

Our CEO, Juliet Davenport, said: “We’re enormously proud of our investment in Delabole and are delighted to welcome Chris Huhne to officially open the new site. Delabole wind farm now accounts for around 20% of the total 100% renewable electricity supplied by Good Energy, and is the first in a pipeline of new wind energy projects we’re working on.

“We’d also like to thank the Delabole community for their help and support throughout the repowering process.  It’s wonderful to be able to celebrate its completion together.”

The UK is the windiest country in Europe, but wind power currently supplies only 2.2% of our electricity needs. Onshore wind clearly has a role to play in a 100% renewable future for the UK – but success depends on local communities having their say too. Our experience with Delabole demonstrates how effective consultation with the local community throughout the repowering process can help the planning process run smoothly. And we’ll be making sure that communities get the opportunity to benefit financially from this and our future wind farm developments.

More new wind farms – our future plans

 

 
Delabole is just the first in a pipeline of new Good Energy wind farm developments – we’re planning to add over 50MW of new capacity in the next five years, that’s enough wind energy to power a town roughly the size of Cambridge.

We’ve made good progress with several possible sites in different places around the country. We’re working closely with the landowners and hope to be able to share the locations of some of our prospective new wind farms very soon.

Most of these will be small to medium-sized developments and, as with all our sites, Good Energy will develop them in close consultation with the local community, as well as putting environmental considerations at the fore.

Delabole wind farm is a great example of how effective consultation helps the planning process run smoothly, ensuring that local communities are involved with the plans and are able to benefit from the development. We intend to apply everything we learnt from our positive experience redeveloping Delabole to our new wind farms.

These new wind farm developments are fantastic news for the future of Good Energy and our customers. Increasing the amount of homegrown energy we generate is better for the UK’s energy security, reducing future energy price risks and taking us a step closer to our goal of turning the UK’s energy 100% renewable by 2050.

How much we’re investing per customer in new sources of renewables

 

 
We are sometimes asked how much we invest in new renewables per customer we supply – a measure of greenness favoured by some energy companies.

So, we did some sums, and during 2010, we invested £455.56 per customer in our new wind farm – this works out to be around £0.70 for every £1 spent on customers’ bills. And we’ve got big plans to increase this in the future.

Good Energy also invests in new sources of renewable heat by supporting Solar Thermal generators through our award-winning HotROCs scheme (a precursor of the Renewable Heat Incentive); and investing in community biomass generation schemes on behalf of our customers on our certified electricity tariff.
In order to verify our green credentials, we’ve chosen to join the independent Green Energy Supply Certification scheme which guarantees the environmental benefit of your green electricity tariff – so our customers know it’s genuinely green.

We continue to work hard to help grow renewables in the UK, both by direct investment and by lobbying policy-makers.  In 2010, as well as investing £11.8m in our new Delabole wind farm, we supported over 1,700 smaller independent generators – a number which has tripled in just two years. One in every 20 of our customers is a generator and we are proud of our contribution to the growth of renewables in the UK. Our uncompromising commitment to green energy is reflected in our 100% renewable fuel mix which is unmatched in the industry.

Putting your money where your mouth is

 

 
In 1991, Peter and Martin Edwards, father-and-son farmers, began a long and pioneering association with wind power. What began as a wild idea over the kitchen table ended with the family selling its 150-strong dairy herd and milk quota in order to part fund the investment needed to set up the UK’s first commercial wind farm at Delabole, Cornwall. In 2002, Good Energy bought the wind farm, which gave the Edwards’ the chance to become shareholders and Martin became non-executive director of Good Energy Group. Shares were distributed to all members of the family, including Peter’s five grandchildren who are all avid supporters of renewable energy. Martin Edwards said: “As a family we believe in the need for a 100% renewable energy future, so putting our money where our mouth is the best way of making this a possibility, while still getting a reasonable return. Our children have all been given shares to stimulate their interest in a sustainable future.”

Another of our shareholders is Stewart Dodd, who runs the sustainable architecture practice Satellite Architects. Stewart is a long-standing Good Energy customer, who first switched his home supply to us in 2005, and subsequently his business. “We are concerned about all aspects of our business being sustainable, we design low carbon, low impact sustainable buildings so it’s imperative that we practice what we preach,” Stewart explains. “All the projects we specify are environmentally conscious and we suggest to every client that they sign up to Good Energy on completion of the project, as the only way to be truly sustainable is to have a green grid. Good Energy is the closest thing we have to this in the UK.”

 
From being a customer it was a short step to becoming a shareholder – Stewart and his wife, Kristin, bought shares in the company in our third share offering in 2007. “As a small ethical company with a good product, investing in Good Energy felt like an opportunity to make a difference - and it fits with  our ethos. We try to invest ethically as much as we can, including our child’s trust fund,” he says. “Being both a customer and a shareholder gives you a sense of commitment and there is no doubt that I recommend Good Energy more because I'm a shareholder, as I feel invested in more than just the good cause.”

Good Ownership – how our customers have helped us to grow

 

 
Most people know that Good Energy is unique because of our 100% renewable electricity fuel mix.  It’s less well known that we are also largely owned by our customers – something we’re rather proud of, and a big point of difference with other energy companies.

Since Good Energy was first founded in 1999, we’ve always listened to what our customers want – and have made some key business decisions, like launching our award-winning Homegen product, in response to their feedback.  So in 2002, when we decided to raise capital and launched our first public share offering, we were delighted that more than 600 of our customers bought shares in the company. The funds we raised enabled us to buy Delabole wind farm in Cornwall, and to further expand the business.

We made two further share offerings in 2004 and 2007, raising additional funds from the public and our growing customer base, with many customers coming back for a second bite of the cherry. This provided us with the buffer we needed to be able to grow the company to over 26,000 customers and travel the sometimes rocky road of trading renewable energy. Funds from the third share offering also provided much of the capital we needed to invest in redeveloping Delabole wind farm, to more than double its output.

To date we’ve raised £2.7 million through share offerings, and the Good Energy Group has around 1700 shareholders, some 90% of whom are also our customers.

Good Energy Group plc, is the holding company for Good Energy’s electricity and gas supply businesses, Good Energy Generation and Good Energy Shop.  Ordinary shares in Good Energy Group are listed on Plus Markets.

We’re also investigating ways in which our existing customers and local communities will be able to participate financially in our new prospective wind farm developments. We’ll be making an announcement about this soon, so watch this space

Rewarding our shareholders

 

 
In December 2010 the Board decided to give our shareholders the good news that Good Energy Group would start paying dividends, and made a first payment of 2.5 pence per ordinary share. Our chairman, John Sellers, said: “As the company continues to go from strength to strength we feel the payments of dividends should be part of our natural evolution – and that our shareholders are entitled to a cash return for supporting our mission to help the UK achieve a 100% renewable future.”

Employee partnership

 

 
As well as offering our customers the chance to invest in our business, we also want to offer the same opportunities to our staff. So we’re planning to launch a Good Energy Employee Share Scheme, giving all permanent members of staff the ability to benefit from buying shares in the company. Our CEO, Juliet Davenport said: “Good Energy wouldn’t have achieved as much as we have without the hard work and commitment of our fantastic team. So it is only right that they should be able to share in the success of the company by being able to invest in it.”

Disclaimer: This article does not constitute any form of advice, recommendation or arrangement by Good Energy and is not intended to be relied upon by you in making any specific investment or other decisions. Appropriate advice should be obtained before making any such decision. 

My thoughts on the ‘new’ Delabole Wind Farm

By Peter Edwards, landowner and developer of the original wind farm

      Good Energy CEO Juliet Davenport with Peter Edwards (right) and son Martin at Delabole.

I am writing this from my office desk which overlooks four majestic wind turbines rotating at an almost soporific speed with a blue sky and cumulus cloud background: a magnificent sight which makes it difficult to concentrate on the job in hand.

Watching the last of the old turbines come down was a sad day, for the ten Vestas Windanes had given us excellent service over the previous eighteen years and become very much part of our farm. It reminded me of the day when our old Morris Traveller went to the scrap heap after serving the family well over many years. A big difference though is that these ten old friends are not going to the scrap yard but moving to Lithuania for a new lease of life. I am looking forward to visiting them to see them in their new surroundings and make sure that they are being looked after.

Apart from the aesthetic pleasure I receive from the new turbines, it’s rewarding to know that the farm now produces two and a half times more non- polluting energy and is also saving a proportionally larger amount of carbon dioxide.

Local pupils ponder Delabole wind farm

Daring
Enchanting
Like
A
Beautiful silhouette
On the Cornish
Landscape
Equivalent to

Wild horses
In the
Northern Lights
Defined

For
Always
Re-energising
My world!

This is what the new turbines at our wind farm in Delabole, North Cornwall mean to local pupil Holly Lambert, the winner of our poetry competition.

In December we invited pupils to describe the new additions to their horizon. We were really impressed with their creativity and our CEO Juliet Davenport was delighted to present Holly, and runner up Terri Rowe, with their prize vouchers for the Good Energy Shop.

Deputy Headmaster James spoke to Holly about the experience.

How did it feel to win the poetry competition?
Amazing!
 
What did you use your prize voucher for?
An electric blanket. It’s really warm and I sleep really well under it.
 
Is there anyone you’d like to thank?
My English Teacher Polly who really helps me to learn, and my Mum who came to the show to watch me.

And here’s the poem from runner up, Terri Rowe.

Delabole Wind Farm
Eco Friendly
Local
And
Bringing People Together
Over the horizon
Looming and
Emerging From distance

Wind Turbines Turn On Your
Imagination
Not a Turbine but an Octopus
Disappearing in the Cornish mist

Future friendly
Amazing electricity
Resisting damaging our world
My future everyone’s future

Giant wind turbines not such a menace

By Lorna Edwards

 

A report in The Telegraph this weekend predicts an influx of planning applications for ‘giant’ wind turbines marching across the UK and laments their visual impact on the landscape.

The report all but ignores the higher generating potential offered by taller turbines, not to mention the contribution renewable energy needs to make to cutting our carbon emissions; and assumes public opinion will be universally against them.

As regular readers of this blog will know, we are nearing the completion of our redevelopment of Delabole Wind Farm in North Cornwall. Set up in 1991, Delabole was the first commercial wind farm in the UK. As part of our early consultation process for the redevelopment we initially offered the local community a choice between having either nine smaller turbines or six larger ones - illustrated by photomontages showing their impact on the landscape, with information about the carbon savings for each option. The big guys won by an overwhelming majority.

Not only have we replaced 10 small turbines with just four larger ones (99.5m to tip height) but we have also increased the generating capacity of the wind farm by two and a half times saving over 13 700 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year. Yes, the turbines at Delabole can now be seen from further away than before, but the local residents clearly felt it was a worthwhile compromise.

So, what are the benefits of installing taller turbines? Standing at a greater height allows for a more consistent wind less affected by turbulence caused by obstructions such as buildings and trees. These newer gearless Enercon turbines are not only quieter but require less maintenance as they have fewer moving parts, and can perform at higher wind speeds due to improvements in technology. They are more expensive to install initially, but are more cost effective over time thanks to their higher power output.

We need more onshore wind turbines in the UK if we are to achieve the Government’s target of 15% of our energy coming from renewables by 2020. Let’s not forget that the UK is the windiest country in Europe although wind power only currently supplies 2.2% of the UK’s electricity needs. If wind power is to take on the leading role in meeting this target, we’ll need around 33GW which could translate to over £60bn worth of investment and create 160,000 ‘green collar’ jobs.

We can rely on these friendly giants for their help in achieving this.

Greeting the new turbines: What Good Energy’s wind farm means to a local Delabolian (Part 3)

This is what Good Energy's local Delabole blogger Sonia Hawkey has to say about the new turbines going up.
 
So we counted them down, and now we’re counting them right back up! After a few weeks of bare hillside which, even people outside the village noticed, was ‘missing something’, the new turbines started going up. Now, the weather’s been up to its old tricks, but when the rain and fog does lift, I can see that three turbines have now been fully erected, with work soon to begin on the fourth. They’ve certainly got the location right here and things are looking good for the blades to start turning on the four turbines in December.

And hasn’t it been a project and a half! Watching the construction process has been fascinating and seeing the massive blades lying flat on the bed of a lorry has really hit home the sheer magnitude of the repower project. At nearly double the height of their predecessors, the new quartet of turbines are set a little further in from the road and do look sleeker, in spite of their size. However, while they have changed the landscape, locals seem to have taken their towering forms in their stride – ‘They just look a little closer than the last ones did,’ one tells me!

Wind power’s had a bit of a bad time in the press recently and I’d thank ‘local’ campaign groups to not put words in our mouths. The wind farm at Delabole is as much a part of this village as is our slate quarry and, having seen the countryside without turbines for the first time in my life, it’s true that you don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone. Having turbines back on Deli Farm gives us back the ‘Delabolian’ panorama, taking in Roughtor, Brown Willy and the Atlantic, and best appreciated from the edge of the quarry with the wind in your face before retreating indoors for a steaming cuppa.

I, for one, can’t wait to see the new turbines in action – our own waving giants – and I’m very grateful to Good Energy for giving this local resident the chance to air her views.