Today (July the 4th 2023), the Running Out of Time Climate Baton was carried 8.8 km from The Wave Bristol, which is powered by it’s own solar and energy storage array, to the Ambition Lawrence Weston turbine in Avonmouth.
Against the backdrop of the impressive structure, the runner was met by members of the Ambition Community Energy team, City of Bristol representative Kye Dudd, and officials from the West of England Combined Authority. The event also attracted journalists from BBC Points West and Bristol 24/7.
Ambition Community Energy team member Rowan Messer, along with members of Vegan Runners UK, then carried the baton 10 km to the next stage of the relay, Lodway Football Club.
Ambition Community Energy were delighted to have their turbine featured in the relay, and hope that it highlighted the vital role that clean and sustainable energy plays in combating climate change and reducing carbon emissions, as well as the benefits this can bring to local communities.
On July 4th 2023 the Running Out of Time Climate Relay will run 8.8 km from The Wave, Bristol, to the Lawrence Weston Turbine in Avonmouth, one year after commencement of turbine construction. The baton, which features a live “Climate Clock”, will be handed to ACE Director Andrew Garrad, who recently received a Global Wind Energy Council “Pioneer Award” to celebrate installation of the first TeraWatt of the world’s wind energy. Representative of the City of Bristol Kye Dudd will attend the arrival at the turbine, as well as representatives of the West of England Combined Authority.
Running Out of Time 2023 is Britain’s biggest sporting celebration of climate action and nature. Taking place between June 10 and July 11th, thousands of runners, walkers, wheelers and cyclists will relay the baton 2300km from Ben Nevis to Big Ben to inspire the nation to act NOW to reach net zero!
The relay will travel through 50 cities & towns and a range of National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and will feature visits to historic landmarks, stunning natural sites, schools, universities, community projects, cutting edge technology, sporting venues and a host of different and crazy ways to move the baton
It follows on from the hugely successful Running Out of Time 2022 – an extraordinary 7767km non-stop relay from Glasgow (COP 26 host) to Sharm el-Sheikh (COP 27 host) in the name of climate action.
10,000+ participants took part in the 732 individual relay stages, across 18 countries.
834,207 people signed The Message held inside the relay baton calling for universal climate education, successfully delivered to world leaders at COP27.
776,611 pupils, from 2,230 schools in 105 countries, joined our Global Schools Action Day.
Over 150 news outlets covered the relay with a UVM of 943 million, including the finale being live streamed by ITV’s Good Morning Britain, and features from The Guardian, BBC, Runners World, United Nations, USA Today, UNESCO, Times Radio, and MSN.
Baton carriers included Olympians, Slovenia President Borut Pahor, First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon, mayors, government ministers, city councillors, NGOs, community groups, ambassadors, activists, students, business leaders, friends and families.
Partners included UNESCO, UNFCC, the European Commission’s Education for Climate, Earthday.org, Carbon Copy, the Foundation for Environmental Education, Let’s Go Zero, Keep Wales Tidy and Keep Scotland Beautiful.
Rowan, an ACE team member, will be running Stage 277 from Ambition Lawrence Weston Turbine to Lodway Football Club. Please register here if you would like to join.
Ambition Lawrence Weston (ALW) and Ambition Community Energy CIC (ACE) are
thrilled to announce the successful construction and operation of England’s largest
onshore wind turbine. The turbine is 100% owned by the community. What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that the turbine is 100% owned by the community of Lawrence Weston. This groundbreaking project marks a turning point for community-led renewable energy initiatives and highlights the vital role residents can play in driving the transition to clean energy.
The 115m diameter, 4.2 MW wind turbine will generate enough clean energy to
power more than 3,000 homes – equivalent to Lawrence Weston’s domestic energy
usage. Over its lifetime, the turbine will save an estimated 45,000 tonnes of carbon
emissions, contributing significantly to the fight against climate change. There are no shareholders in ACE and hence any surplus generated from electricity sales will be reinvested back into the community, driving local regeneration efforts.
Local resident and originator of the project Roger Sabido, dressed as the iconic civil engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, cut a ribbon at the ceremony to mark the achievement. Darren Jones MP for Bristol & Bristol North West was also there to witness the event, while other key stakeholders who have helped fund the project were there on the day including the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority’s Metro Mayor Dan Norris and Cllr Kye Dudd from Bristol City Council, and also members of the local community.
Roger Sabido said:
“It’s said ideas are easy. Good ideas a lot more difficult. Making good ideas work runs next to miraculous. This is a wonderfully good idea made to work by the fierce dedicated application of skill and experience, not mine, and the vigorous support of a community desperate to live sustainably. It is not about saving the Planet. Those that talk of saving the planet have not grasped what’s going on. The planet is in the throes of saving itself. It’s done it before. We know the poorest and most vulnerable of us are being hit soonest and hardest by our climate emergency, and this is about saving ourselves, about showing that we can live and live sustainably. Our challenge now is to ensure the benefits go where they are most needed.”
Darren Jones MP, Bristol North West, said:
“With energy prices still sky-high, the opening of this community-led wind turbine couldn’t come at a better time. In the longer-term, investing in renewables is the way forward to reach Net Zero.
“Public perception of onshore wind turbines is shifting in a positive direction. From
individual community-led turbines to larger wind farms, I hope the winds of change
are blowing across the UK for a greener future.”
The Journey
ALW, a grassroots, resident-led Development Trust, Registered Charity, and Company, began its journey with the vision to deliver a Community Plan that reflects the aspirations of local residents. Initially, renewable energy and climate change were not part of the plan. However, inspired by successful energy projects developed in collaboration with Bristol Energy Network, such as the 4.2 MW solar farm with Bristol Energy Coop, the ambitious idea of a community-owned wind turbine took shape.
In 2016, in order to identify sites and a planning route for onshore wind, ALW sought
support from David Tudgey and Dr. Charles Gamble of Community Power Solutions.
They helped develop an application to the Urban Community Energy Fund and have
continued to support the project development. They, with the residents and trustees
of ALW, formed ACE in spring 2018. The chair of Bristol 2015 European Green
Capital, Andrew Garrad, then joined the board.
Developing a project of this magnitude was not without its challenges. UK planning policy discourages onshore wind farms, and subsidies for community-scale renewable energy projects have been removed. Nevertheless, with crucial support from Bristol City Council, potential council land was offered for the wind turbine, along with early-stage development funding. This initial backing paved the way for further investment from grant funders and lenders. The planning application received overwhelming support from local residents, community groups, and councillors, leading to the granting of planning permission in July 2020.
Development funds were secured through loans from Bristol and Bath Regional
Capital (BBRC) City Funds, members of the Society of Merchant Venturers, and a
£500,000 European Development Fund Grant from the West of England Mayoral
Combined Authority ACE began construction of the turbine with the support of a £4
million loan from Bristol-based Thrive Renewables, who joined the project when
planning permission and grid connection had been secured.
Matthew Clayton, Managing Director at Thrive Renewables said:
“Thrive Renewables is incredibly proud to provide over £4 million of funding for the construction of the Ambition Community Energy wind turbine. The dual challenges of the energy and climate crisis can only be addressed by working together and the ACE wind project takes collaboration to a new level. We look forward to see it generating clean, renewable electricity for the next generation, and the revenues it generates going back to fund regeneration and education for the local community.”
ACE announced a 2-year contract with Bristol-based OVO Energy, specifically
supporting a power purchase agreement which is subsidy-free renewable energy.
This partnership, supporting community energy, helps promote and incentivise small-
scale, independent wind and solar farms by offering them an above-market price for
the electricity they generate.
Conclusion
The successful completion and operation of the wind turbine project marks a
significant turning point for onshore wind deployment in England, which has seen a
decline in recent years. With only two onshore wind farms completed in England
2022, Ambition Lawrence Weston’s wind turbine sets a precedent for community-led
applications across the country. This accomplishment showcases the power of
grassroots-driven initiatives and underscores the pivotal role that communities can
play in driving the transition to renewable energy and a Just Energy Transition.
The project’s success aligns with the West of England’s commitment to becoming
carbon neutral by 2030, providing a blueprint for other community energy groups in
the UK to create green jobs amidst a challenging economic landscape.
“We are ecstatic to have received the Finance & Innovation Award at the Community Energy England Awards. This recognition is a testament to the relentless dedication of our volunteers and the project development team at Ambition Community Energy CIC. It was an honour to share this momentous occasion with our esteemed investors, Thrive Renewables, Bristol & Bath Regional Capital, Bristol City Council, and members of the Society of Merch
ant Venturers. Without their financial support and backing, our community-owned wind turbine project – set to be the largest onshore turbine in England – would not have been a reality. Their timely tailored approach to financing through at-risk development investments and construction loans enabled us to develop and construct this project when conventional finance was not an option. We are deeply grateful for their support and take great pride in this achievement, which was made possible through the collective efforts of our team, volunteers, investors, and grant funders.”
David Tudgey, Project Development & Asset Manager on behalf Ambition Community Energy C.I.C
Concrete for the foundations is poured for England’s biggest onshore wind turbine and it is community owned!
Ambition Community Energy CIC (ACE), an offshoot of Ambition Lawrence Weston, a community-based charity in Bristol, has reached an important milestone. It has completed the electrical and civil engineering work needed to build England’s largest onshore wind turbine. The turbine is on its way from three factories in Europe and it will be operating in spring 2023. The total cost of development and construction is £6 million.
ACE secured senior debt funding from Thrive Renewables in April 2022. It was added to other loan funds from Bristol and Bath Regional Capital (BBRC), Bristol “City Funds” and some members of the Society of Merchant Venturers, and a grant from the West of England Combined Authority (Local Energy Scheme which is funded through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)). ACE reached its investment target following receipt of planning permission in July 2020 and the signing of a lease for the plot of land in November 2021.
Development of the turbine project has been a long process. It began in 2016, following Bristol’s year as European Green Capital in 2015. It obtained its early funding from the DECC Urban Community Energy Fund, Bristol City Council (BCC), and Power to Change. That initial funding was followed by contingent development loans from Bristol Community Energy Fund (via BCC/Power to Change /BBRC/City Funds). A determined effort was needed from the ACE team to overcome several procedural hurdles. First they had to gain planning permission; strong arguments were advanced on both sides and even the Planning Officers seemed to see it as a finely balanced decision, so that it was a great relief when the planning committee voted unanimously in favour. Then there was the government’s removal of subsidies to onshore wind of less than 5MW, which persists until today and, finally, the introduction of the Written Ministerial Statement 2015 which has been an effective ban on development of new onshore wind for most developers. This project has been developed in spite of government policy rather than because of it! Alongside these financial, planning challenges there have been numerous environmental and engineering challenges which is why any additional unnecessary barriers to obtaining planning have led to an effective ban onshore wind to date.
At 150m tall with 4.2MW capacity, the ACE turbine has two remarkable characteristics: it is England’s biggest onshore turbine and it is 100% community-owned. The turbine will generate electricity equivalent to Lawrence Weston’s domestic use, around 3,000 homes, and save 120,000 tonnes of CO2e over its lifetime. ACE estimates that about £100,000 a year could be provided as a donation to be invested back into the local community. Funds are expected to help fund a development plan for Lawrence Weston and to contribute to a new £1.7 million community hub for the area, which will provide support, training and debt advice to local residents.
For communities to succeed in the future with new onshore wind projects the development finance needs to be made available to allow them to explore sites with local authorities & regional hubs supporting access to land, with the local DSO and National Grid providing access for large onshore wind turbines (above 1 MW connections), and the national planning system need to assist communities and not frustrate them. Bristol Energy Network which Ambition Lawrence Weston is a member of hopes to replicate the success of Ambition Community Energy C.I.C. project in 2023 with their Sustainable Innovative Financial Foundations for Wind Turbines project which has been awarded conditional funding from the West of England Combined Authority’s Green Recovery Fund. This new project along with regulatory changes by the government is hoped to be a new beginning, a “Renaissance of onshore wind” led with communities actively participating in a new smart local energy system.
Bristol-based Thrive Renewables invests £4 million enabling local community group to build country’s tallest wind turbine
Bristol-based renewable energy investment company, Thrive Renewables PLC, has provided a £4 million loan to Ambition Community Energy to help them build the biggest wind turbine in England right here in Bristol.
With the funding now in place, Ambition Community Energy can move forwards with construction, with groundwork expected to start in June and commissioning expected in Spring 2023.
The turbine has a diameter of 115 meters and a tip height of 150 meters and will be built on land rented from Bristol City Council off the Severn Road near Lawrence Weston. With a maximum capacity of 4.2 MW, it will be capable of generating enough clean electricity to power close to 3,000 homes – the equivalent of Lawrence Weston’s domestic use – and will save almost 87600 tonnes of carbon emissions over its lifetime.
Providing a new revenue stream for the local community in Lawrence Weston, all profits from electricity sales will be reinvested back into the area, acting as a driver for regeneration. The group also plan to build an Energy Learning Zone to inspire young people and provide training to upskill residents for zero carbon careers.
With attention very much focused on improving the UK’s energy security amidst rising energy bills, community-based projects such as this are set to play an important role in alleviating fuel poverty, while also helping to create local, green jobs as part of a just transition.
After declaring a climate emergency in 2018, Bristol is aiming to become carbon neutral and climate resilient by 2030, with the 100% community-owned turbine helping the city to meet its net zero targets.
Matthew Clayton, Managing Director at Thrive Renewables, said: “It’s extremely impressive to see the determination and resilience Ambition Community Energy has shown in getting the project to this stage. Thrive’s unique collaborative funding model will enable them to get the turbine built and operational after years of planning work. Locally owned projects such as these will play a fundamental role in the future energy system, providing clean electricity that will help to reduce bills and generate revenue that can be plugged back into the community. It’s also great to see such significant grassroots support for onshore wind and local people taking control of energy resources.”
Ambition Community Energy is a community interest company set up by Bristol-based charity Ambition Lawrence Weston – established in 2012 by a group of residents who wanted to make the area a better place to live, after a decline in local services.
Mark Pepper, Development Manager at Ambition Lawrence Weston, said: “The money generated from the wind turbine will go a long way to address the historic fuel and general poverty that Lawrence Weston continues to suffer. It will help fund and run our planned new community building. This centre will deliver the community and climate development action plans, written by the residents, and a renewable energy and construction skills academy. These actions will ensure we are well placed to benefit from any ‘just energy transition’ that may happen.”
David Tudgey, Project Development Manager at Ambition Community Energy CIC, added: “There are homes in Lawrence Weston which suffer from poor insulation and low-energy efficiency and, with energy costs continuing to soar, this means even more of our residents will face of fuel poverty. It’s important for us that everyone is included in the clean energy transition, which is why we’ve never given up on getting this project built. Thanks to Thrive, we’re now pushing forward with construction and hope that the turbine acts as a shining example for other communities across the UK.”
The announcement comes after the government published its energy security strategy last week, which outlined its plans for ending the UK’s reliance on imported gas. There was very little support shown for onshore wind in the strategy, but this project is proof that communities are in favour of building new onshore wind farms if they can benefit from local ownership. Deploying onshore wind is the cheapest, cleanest and one of the fastest ways to reduce reliance on foreign fossil fuels.
Andrew Garrad, Visiting Professor in Renewable Energy at the University of Bristol, and Director of Ambition Community Energy CIC said: “I have spent over 40 years working in wind energy all over the world. Although this is England’s biggest onshore turbine, it’s my smallest ever project. That does not mean it’s been the simplest though – far from it! Community energy schemes are difficult and receive no government encouragement. We hope to be able to use our experience to make them easier, so that other communities can make a contribution to the UK’s zero-carbon goal. In 2021, 39% of the UK’s electricity was produced by renewables. It’s time to let community projects boost that figure.”
Ambition Community Energy initially received funding from the Urban Community Energy Fund in 2016 (BEIS funding which was supported & administered by Bristol-based organisation Centre for Sustainable Energy). Bristol City Council’s Energy Services Team agreed to help them identify suitable council land and the planning application received support from residents, local communities and local councillors, as well as funding from the Bristol Community Energy Fund, Bristol and Bath Regional Capital and the West of England Combined Authority and a number of private individuals.
Notes to Editors
For further information, please contact Alex Lomax
alex.lomax@thriverenewables.co.uk or 07521051204
About Thrive Renewables
Thrive Renewables is a renewable energy investment company. Thanks to its community of over 5,250 investors – large and small – Thrive has been building and operating renewable energy projects in the UK for 26 years.
The company’s portfolio currently comprises 22 operational renewable projects, plus further renewable energy and storage projects in development. With assets under management of £94 million, its portfolio of wind and hydro projects generated nearly 150,000MWh of electricity in 2020.
Vision: We believe in a clean, smart energy system powered by the investment of many.
Mission: To power the transition to a sustainable energy future by helping people meaningfully connect with clean energy projects.
Community hub Ambition Lawrence Weston is celebrating the news that they’ve been awarded planning permission for the largest wind turbine in England. The tallest structure to be built in Bristol, the wind turbine is proof that renewable energy can be owned by communities, not just by big business.
Once installed the turbine will produce enough low carbon electricity to power 3,500 homes and make CO2 savings of 1,965 tons every year.
Our community energy journey:
Ambition Lawrence Weston (ALW) is a grassroots, resident-led and driven Development Trust, Registered Charity and Company. It was founded by local residents in 2012 to deliver their Community Plan that brings together the aspirations of over 1,200 residents who responded and gave their views.
After working with ALW to deliver a fuel poverty workshop in 2014 with Bristol Energy Network, I was invited to become their community energy consultant and co-create and help deliver energy projects funded by The Big Local Trust and the Bristol Green Capital in 2015.
In 2016, local resident and member of ALW Energy Group Roger Sabido suggested that we build and own a community wind turbine. To which I replied, ‘well, I do know of a wind engineer who happens to be a volunteer with Bristol Energy Network’ (Dr Charles Gamble now Operations Manager for the project).
Recent changes in the planning law meant the project wouldn’t be permitted without a change to either our local plan or the Neighbourhood Development Plan. Undeterred, we found a potential route to planning by applying to the Urban Community Energy Fund which was supported by local organisation CSE. Bristol City Council Energy Services Team agreed to help us identify suitable council land.
Our application was submitted the same day my son was born in March 2016, so I have a wonderful time stamp of how long we have been working on this project. You can watch the project’s development – and all ALW’s other energy projects on YouTube.
It’s been a long journey from that first conversation to planning consent. Our achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the engaged support from residents of Avonmouth and Lawrence Weston Ward, local community groups, and local councillors – in particular Jo Sargent who helped to canvass residents in 2016 for their support for onshore wind.
Since the planning policy changes in England in 2016, on-shore wind deployment has dried up. Only three on-shore windfarms were completed in 2019. We hope that the success of ALW’s wind turbine has turned the tide and set a precedent for further community-led applications across the country. Ambition Lawrence Weston has shown the power of communities and grass-roots driven projects, and demonstrated that our communities, given the right support, can take control over their destinies, push the shift to renewables and play an important role in bringing forward a Just Energy Transition. This will help Bristol go carbon neutral by 2030, and provide a blueprint for the hundreds of other community energy groups around the UK to create green jobs in the midst of a deepening recession and quicken the transition to a zero carbon energy system.
