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 06.12.04
 Wales'
first community wind turbine has won a Eurosolar UK Award for "inspiring
renewable energy projects".
The 75 kW 'Pwer Pobl - People Power' turbine at Cilgwyn, above Pantperthog,
has been generating clean electricity since April 2003.
It has also been rewarding the 50 shareholders from the Dyfi Valley who
had the confidence to invest in the project.
The dividends they receive keep the profits in the local economy.
The Eurosolar UK Award for best commercial enterprise in 2004 was received
jointly by the Dyfi Valley's community regeneration group ecodyfi and
the turbine's owners Bro Dyfi Community Renewables Ltd.
This local energy co-operative is in the final stages of planning its
second project and expects to open the door to new members in the New
Year.
This will enable the group to erect a 500 kilowatt turbine on Mynydd
Glandulas at Pantperthog, reusing the foundations of the redundant prototype
turbine there.
The Eurosolar judges commended the "guts and determination to make this
happen as a community, and for showing how such a project can be delivered".
In presenting the Award at London's Olympia, Professor John Twidell said
"For a group to achieve its own community-owned energy project has taken
dedication and effort, and many others will be able to learn from, and
follow in the footsteps of Bro Dyfi; not only generating their own power
but investing the surplus in making their energy use more efficient is
an essential idea.
This exemplar for rural community renewables should be of real interest
to the Welsh Assembly and to the Scottish Executive." Now the project
will go forward to be considered for the European Awards.
John Williams chairs the cooperative. "We're delighted to have this recognition",
he said, "and are looking forward to welcoming more local people into
membership in January so that we can go on from here.
"We put in all this effort because climate change threatens us all, but
also to make sure that our own community benefits from the wind's energy".
Ecodyfi's Andy Rowland said that anybody interested in the new project
should contact him on 01654 703965 for details.
Further information:
Andy Rowland, Manager,
ecodyfi; tel: 01654 703965
Tim Brewer, Bro Ddyfi Community Renewables Ltd 01654 703374 or 07817 731336
DuncanKerridge, Bro Ddyfi Community Renewables Ltd 01654 781460
Energy
21, the UK branch of Eurosolar, is an educational charity whose mission
is to unite action for renewable energy, a national network of grassroots
renewable energy groups in the UK. It represents over 70 sustainable energy
centres, renewable energy groups and small companies with more joining
every month.
Eurosolar, the European Solar Energy Association, has as its goal the
replacement of nuclear and fossil fuels with environmentally sound energies
such as sunlight, wind energy, biomass, hydropower and ocean energies
- collectively know as "solar" energies..
Energy 21, as the UK branch of Eurosolar, organises the annual Eurosolar
UK Awards which give recognition to inspiring renewable energy projects.
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