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As well as being our largest project to date, the deal marks another major step in our ambitious growth plans to double generation capacity within the next five years. It is the second project to be funded by Fair Play Clean Energy Ltd, Thrive’s Joint Venture with TopCashback Sustainability, which brings together a combined £80 million in capital to fund new clean energy projects in the UK.
Construction of the proposed 14-turbine site is expected to start in 2025, with commissioning planned by the end of 2026. Once operational, it will be capable of generating up to 149,400 MWh of clean electricity per year, the equivalent of powering 46,100 average UK homes<a href="#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1">[1]</a>, and delivering 65,300 tonnes of emissions reductions<a href="#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2">[2]</a>.
The Whitelaw Brae wind project was originally owned by developer, BayWa r.e., with Thrive acquiring the project in December 2024 following the successful completion of a competitive tender in October 2024.
Thrive has a record of delivering community and shared ownership, both at our own sites and by providing funding for community-owned energy projects. Now, we’ve acquired Whitelaw Brae, we aim to facilitate shared ownership at this site with Ripple Energy&#8217;s latest coop.

The wind farm site is located 15 km north of Moffat and 3 km south of Tweedsmuir. It is also near the River Tweed which, as part of the £25 million Destination Tweed initiative, will see the creation of a 113-mile source to sea River Tweed Trail connecting communities and attractions along the length of the river from Moffat to Berwick-upon-Tweed. The project aims to improve the landscape and river habitat and offer a unique experience to locals and visitors alike, expected to be completed across five years.  
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[1] Based on an annual generation of 149GWh and calculated using the most recent statistics from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) showing that UK average domestic household consumption is 3,239kWh per annum <a id="menur1gr" class="fui-Link ___1q1shib f2hkw1w f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1s184ao f1mk8lai fnbmjn9 f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1nev41a f1h8hb77 f1lqvz6u f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" title="https://www.renewableuk.com/energypulse/ukwed/" href="https://www.renewableuk.com/energypulse/ukwed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Link https://www.renewableuk.com/energypulse/ukwed/">https://www.renewableuk.com/energypulse/ukwed/</a>
[1] Calculated using DESNZ’s “all non-renewable fuels” emissions statistic of 437 tonnes of carbon dioxide per GWh of electricity supplied in the Digest of UK Energy Statistics (July 2024) <a id="menur1gt" class="fui-Link ___1q1shib f2hkw1w f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1s184ao f1mk8lai fnbmjn9 f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1nev41a f1h8hb77 f1lqvz6u f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" title="https://www.renewableuk.com/energypulse/ukwed/" href="https://www.renewableuk.com/energypulse/ukwed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="Link https://www.renewableuk.com/energypulse/ukwed/">https://www.renewableuk.com/energypulse/ukwed/</a>

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Thrive Renewables

From funding some of the UK’s first onshore wind farms in the early 1990s to a new 14-turbine site, we’re harnessing the country’s abundant wind resource to deliver clean power to homes and businesses.

We’ve acquired the development rights for our biggest project to date – a 57MW onshore wind farm in Scotland

Featured

Geothermal Engineering Ltd (GEL), the company behind UK’s first deep geothermal electricity power plant, has also announced that – alongside other partners – it has been trialling sustainable, zero carbon methods of removing the lithium from the fluid, so far managing to achieve a 95% extraction rate.

Lithium is a naturally occurring metal found around the world but is predominantly mined in South America and Australia, before being shipped to China for processing into battery-grade lithium. The final stage of the process then sees batteries sent to Europe to be installed into electric vehicles.
With the UK government announcing its plans to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in the UK by 2030, there is huge opportunity for renewable energies such as geothermal to support in lithium extraction and battery production.
The Faraday Institution, a government-backed body set up in 2017 to promote the battery industry, estimates UK demand for lithium could reach 59,000 tonnes a year of lithium carbonate equivalent by 2035, based on projected growth in domestic battery demand.

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UD 10

Third party testing at the United Downs site in Cornwall has revealed high levels of lithium, a vital component of electric vehicle batteries, in its geothermal waters.

United Downs: A milestone on the journey to local, zero carbon lithium production

The Loch a&#8217; Bhraoin project supported businesses in the area throughout its development and construction by using local contractors wherever possible. In addition, the turbine installed at Inverbroom was manufactured in Cumbria by Gilkes, who have been making hydro power turbines in the UK for over 100 years.

This 2MW project based in the Scottish Highlands is eligible for the Feed-In-Tariff (FIT). Despite operational challenges caused by the COVID-19 crisis which affected construction and supply chains, the project was completed four months ahead of the original FIT deadline. Loch a Bhraoin was developed by Inverbroom Hydro Ltd and Glendevon Energy Co Ltd, and received funding from Clydesdale Bank and Thrive.
The UK has around 2GW of potential hydropower capacity and a highly developed market of skills, personnel, and businesses ready to develop the sector. Hydro will play a key role in the UK’s future energy mix as it can provide baseload electricity generation as well as balancing services to the grid. Indeed this project has seen Loch Bhroain classified as a reservoir, offering significant storage potential. The last round of the FIT saw 40MW of hydropower capacity built, enough to power at least 35,800 average UK homes.

[1] Calculated using the most recent statistics from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) showing that annual UK average domestic household consumption is 3,618kWh, <a href="https://www.renewableuk.com/page/UKWEDExplained" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.renewableuk.com/page/UKWEDExplained</a>
[2] RenewableUK uses BEIS’s “all fossil fuels” emissions statistic of 450 tonnes of carbon dioxide per GWh of electricity supplied in the <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/905060/DUKES_2020_MASTER.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Digest of UK Energy Statistics</a> (July 2020) p125 Table 5D (“Estimated carbon dioxide emissions from electricity supplied 2015 to 2017”), <a href="https://www.renewableuk.com/page/UKWEDExplained" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.renewableuk.com/page/UKWEDExplained</a>.  Average per capita greenhouse gas emissions.

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inverbroom complete 3

Loch a Bhraoin hydro power project, which we provided with mezzanine finance to cover construction, is now connected to grid and generating clean electricity.

Loch a Bhraoin hydro generates first electricity from Scottish rain

We worked in close collaboration with Windcluster, owners of the immediately adjacent Haverigg III wind farm who also applied for a similar planning extension. Submitting the two applications simultaneously allowed proper consideration of any long term or cumulative impacts of wind energy generation in the area.  The planning consents for both projects were passed unanimously.
Arcus Consultancy Services Ltd, a leading environmental, planning and engineering consultancy, supported both wind farms to engage with Natural England and Copeland Borough Council.  Potential environmental impacts were identified at an early stage and we proposed suitable mitigation in the form of habitat enhancements for breeding gull colonies at the South Walney Nature Reserve.
We approached the host communities in the villages of Haverigg, Kirksanton and Millom to discuss the continued operation of the site back in October 2019. A full consultation was undertaken, including a drop-in session to discuss any local issues. Results from the consultation were fed into the final application to the council.

Unlike almost any other type of infrastructure, solar and wind farms are frequently granted time limited planning permission – usually 25 years. So we need to apply to continue to operate them at the end of their consented planning life. As our older wind farms reach this stage, we will routinely apply to secure their longer term operational future. We hope that in the future, planning permission for this vital green infrastructure which provides employment, generates income and powers our country in a sustainable way will be granted in perpetuity. According to Arcus, these planning consents in Cumbria pave the way for further variation of conditions applications to enable existing wind turbines to be retained for a longer period than originally consented.
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[1] Calculated using the most recent statistics from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) showing that annual UK average domestic household consumption is 3,618kWh, <a href="https://www.renewableuk.com/page/UKWEDExplained" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.renewableuk.com/page/UKWEDExplained</a>

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Copeland Borough Council has approved an application from Thrive Renewables to extend the working life of our four turbine wind farm at Haverigg in Cumbria. The existing turbines now have planning permission to continue operating until 2032.

Life extension approved at Haverigg II

In the first six months of this year, we’ve continued to make a positive impact. Here is a snapshot of what’s been achieved so far in 2020:
<ul>
<li>Generated 84,236MWh of renewable electricity, enough to power a city the size of Worcester 1.</li>
<li>Emissions reductions of 37,906 2  tonnes of carbon dioxide.</li>
<li>Invested in United Downs geothermal power plant, which is currently in development, and Riding Sunbeams, a pioneering solar rail company.</li>
<li>Awarded Highly Commended in the category of ESG Investor of the Year, at the prestigious BusinessGreen Leaders Awards. It was a huge honour to be recognised by BusinessGreen alongside many other strong finalists.</li>
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We’ve been awarded the Good Egg Kitemark since 2017 by Good With Money. The kitemark is awarded to business which are able to prove that they make a positive impact by benefiting society and the environment.
[1] Calculated using the most recent statistics from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) showing that annual UK average domestic household consumption is 3,618kWh, https://www.renewableuk.com/page/UKWEDExplained 
[2] RenewableUK uses BEIS’s “all fossil fuels” emissions statistic of 450 tonnes of carbon dioxide per GWh of electricity supplied in the Digest of UK Energy Statistics (July 2020) p125 Table 5D (“Estimated carbon dioxide emissions from electricity supplied 2015 to 2017”), https://www.renewableuk.com/page/UKWEDExplained.  Average per capita greenhouse gas emissions.

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IMG_4717

We are once again celebrating Good Money Week (24-30 October). This national campaign is run by the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association, which we are part of, and aims to grow and raise awareness of sustainable, responsible and ethical finance.

Sustainable at heart

It is positive to hear a commitment to the clean energy transition coming from government and recognising offshore wind power as a vital part of this with immense potential. The government plans to increase its offshore capacity target from 30 to 40GW and aim for every home to be powered by offshore wind in the next decade.
However positive these targets are, they are high level and lack detail. The UK cannot reach net zero solely with offshore wind, <a href="https://www.theccc.org.uk/2020/03/03/ccc-welcomes-government-re-commitment-to-onshore-wind-and-solar/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the proposed 40GW, represents only 21% of the low carbon electricity generation capacity required by 2050 according to the Committee on Climate Change</a>. Whole-system changes to the UK’s electricity system are essential; how it’s distributed, how we balance supply and demand, how and when we use electricity. And we need policy detail from government on the frameworks for home owners, businesses and industry to deliver the transition over the next decade.
<h3>How do we adapt our electricity system to work for net zero?</h3>
<h3>More renewables</h3>
According to the UK Energy Research Centre, as we decarbonise not just the power system but heating and transport as well, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/oct/08/uk-will-take-700-years-to-reach-low-carbon-heating-under-current-plans?CMP=share_btn_tw" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-anchor="?CMP=share_btn_tw">electricity demand is set to double</a>. The government’s target of 40GW of new offshore capacity is geared towards our current levels of electricity use. However, with drivers switching to electric vehicles, electrifying the railways and as we cease to heat our homes with fossil fuels, powering all the UK’s <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/oct/08/uk-will-take-700-years-to-reach-low-carbon-heating-under-current-plans?CMP=share_btn_tw" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-anchor="?CMP=share_btn_tw">homes alone could require 67GW of offshore capacity</a>, according to one estimate. On top of this, homes only account for a third of our electricity demand, the rest goes to offices, commerce and industry.
We need more renewables on the grid. And as with the legacy fossil fuelled system, importantly we need variety &#8211; of technologies, sizes, and ownership.
It’s well documented that onshore wind and solar are now the cheapest forms of new electricity generation, and in many cases, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/mar/12/wind-and-solar-plants-will-soon-be-cheaper-than-coal-in-all-big-markets-around-world-analysis-finds" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cheaper than running existing coal-fired powerplants</a>. Industry associations have recommended that the <a href="https://www.thriverenewables.co.uk/media/2196/delivering-a-green-recovery-with-uk-renewable-power-final.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UK install 5.5GW of onshore renewables</a>, including wind, solar and hydro, each year between now and 2035 if we are to meet net zero, 150% more than we are currently building.
A diverse electricity system creates resilience. By using a variety of different renewable technologies, we circumvent the limitations of each. Hydro, and geothermal, such as <a href="/latest-news/blog/how-does-it-work-geothermal-electricity-generation/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Downs in Cornwall</a> which is currently under development, can provide baseload electricity. While wind and solar energy is variable, it can be combined with storage technology to shift excess electricity to be used when demand is high.
As well as using diverse technologies, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2014/nov/20/resilient-energy-systems-uk-adapt" target="_blank" rel="noopener">decentralised electricity systems are more resilient to the effects of climate change.</a> For example, this could mean installing rooftop solar panels, which can provide off-grid power to homes, or creating larger district heating networks that generate heat for those living in an area from a local, renewable source.
<h3>Storage and flexibility</h3>
Storage is an essential part of a diverse and decentralised electricity system dominated by renewables. To manage the variability of renewables like wind and solar and the complex relationship between demand and supply we need to provide both short and long-term flexibility to the electricity grid.
<h3>Short-term flexibility</h3>
Balancing the electricity grid is incredibly complex and vital to keeping the lights on and the country moving. Electricity is transported the length of the country, levels of generation must be managed so they are perfectly balanced with levels being used, and properties like voltage and frequency are minutely regulated across the whole network to ensure power generated at scale in industrial power stations can be used by domestic appliances plugged into wall sockets.
To date, many of these balancing services have been provided by thermal power stations, coal, gas, biomass. But as we move away from polluting fossil fuels and towards decarbonisation, we must find new, clean ways to carry out these services. One of the technologies that’s expected to provide an increasing amount of balancing services is grid-scale batteries. One stabilisation function offered by batteries (and other electricity storage options) is to provide reserve at times when demand peaks or troughs. Batteries can also absorb and generate reactive power, which can then be deployed to push voltage up or down when it starts to creep too far from the target needed to safely move electricity around the grid.
The role of batteries in balancing power grids and saving surplus energy represents a concrete means of improving energy efficiency and integrating more renewable energy sources into electricity systems. <a href="https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2019/Sep/IRENA_Utility-scale-batteries_2019.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Batteries will also enhance energy security and create a well-functioning internal market with lower prices for consumers</a>. Grid-scale batteries can also be co-located on the sites of existing renewable energy projects such as wind and solar farms. This allows it to use the existing grid infrastructure and reduces costs.
<h3>Long-term flexibility</h3>
A major challenge with the current battery storage solutions, such as Lithium Ion, is it works best in the short-term, providing minute to minute balancing services for the grid. The quantity of megawatt hours required to compensate for variability is very large. Peak electricity demand is routinely double that of the overnight load on the UK’s electricity system.
Periods of low variable generation are highly likely with an electricity system dominated by renewable technologies such as wind and solar. To provide flexibility over longer periods we must look for other energy storage solutions.
One such solution is pumped storage hydropower, which uses two reservoirs at different elevations connected by a pipe which contains a turbine. During periods of high renewable generation, excess electricity can be used to pump the water from the lower reservoir to the higher reservoir. And when renewable generation is low, the water will flow down from the upper reservoir through the pipe and the turbine, generating electricity. With its ability to both store and generate large amounts of energy over long periods of time, it can play a key role in compensating for variable generation from a renewable dominated grid.
The need for long-term storage solutions has stimulated much innovation and new technologies are continuously emerging. Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) compresses and stores ambient air or another gas under pressure in an underground cavern or container when renewable electricity is abundant. When electricity is required, the pressurised air is heated and expanded in an expansion turbine driving a generator for power production.
Gravitricity, a UK start-up, uses gravity, raising and lowering a heavy weight down a deep hole such as a disused mine shaft, to store and release energy. In periods of high renewable supply, they use abundant clean electricity to raise the weights up. And during periods of high demand the weights are lowered, turning a turbine and generating electricity.
Other emerging storage technologies include chemical storage such as green hydrogen. Excess renewable generation can be used to power electrolysis, splitting water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen molecules and storing the hydrogen for later use.  Whilst a lot of challenges persist for the wide use of hydrogen in the energy system, its potential compatibility with existing fossil fuel infrastructure means we are likely to see a lot of development in this space.
<h3>People</h3>
People are part of the electricity system. We are the consumers of electricity, dictating supply and demand. We need to ensure the national electricity system works for people and the planet. One essential part of this is energy efficiency, supporting people to use less wherever possible.
The electricity system of the future needs to be smart and integrated seamlessly into our daily lives. Currently supply is a slave to demand and this relationship needs to be more balanced. The better we can match daily demand to renewable supply, the less infrastructure we’ll need and the cleaner the system will be.  We need to empower consumers to use electricity when its abundant, managing demand and in turn helping to balance the grid. To an extent this can be carried out with simple behaviour changes, running your washing machine, heating water or charging your electric vehicle on particularly windy days and switching devices off during peak times. Initiatives to encourage this behaviour have begun to emerge. Octopus Energy launched its first <a class="js-scroll-done" href="https://octopus.energy/static/consumer/documents/agile-report.pdf#:~:text=In%20February%202018%2C%20Octopus%20Energy,meters%20and%20half%20hourly%20settlement." target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-anchor="#:~:text=In%20February%202018%2C%20Octopus%20Energy,meters%20and%20half%20hourly%20settlement.">time of use tariff</a> in 2018, allowing customers to pay less for electricity when used out of peak times. In April this year, electricity prices dropped so low that customers were <a href="https://www.power-technology.com/news/octopus-pays-uk-customers-to-consume-green-energy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">paid to use electricity</a>. But it is unfeasible to put the weight of responsibility for the shift to low carbon electricity solely on the shoulders of individuals. With the advancement of smart grid technology, smart meters and internet enabled devices, our washing machines, freezers, hot water tanks and EVs should know when the most sustainable time to use electricity is, as well as using less.
People need to not only be empowered to use electricity but to also play a role in generating it. Community energy puts people at the heart of the electricity system. It brings them together to take democratic climate action by understanding, generating, owning, using, and saving energy. Community energy provides clear accountability and participatory governance within the energy system, which is empowering, transparent and equitable. It accelerates a just transition to a zero-carbon energy system, making communities more prosperous and resilient. Successful community energy can also help to underpin the more rapid rollout of a decentralised energy supply system by giving local people a stake in the outcome.
As more renewables have come onstream over the last decade, the UK has been moving towards a decentralised system, where energy is generated and used locally. Decentralising energy can reduce transmission losses, making the system more efficient. Security of supply is increased nationally too, especially against the impacts of climate change. There can be economic benefits also. <a href="https://www.therma-mech.co.uk/what-is-decentralised-energy-and-why-is-it-important/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Long term, decentralised energy can offer more competitive prices than traditional energy.</a>  Pinning our energy transition hopes solely on huge, remote offshore wind farms seems to be under utilising this progress.
<h3>The energy white paper</h3>
There is no doubt that the UK has taken some big steps in decarbonising the energy system. The amount of electricity generated by renewables has increased from just 6.5% in 2010 to over a third today. But we still have an immense amount work to do, and to do it we need policy and structure. We need a progressive Energy White Paper which clearly sets out a trajectory which industry and individuals can deliver.
The journey to net zero is complex with many possible pathways. We don’t have all of the answers yet, but as we move in the right direction, more solutions will develop. We must evolve our generation, consumption and all the interlinking systems that keep the lights on; this includes our own behaviour. But for us to move forward together, with a harmonised focus and direction, the Energy White Paper must provide detail. It must look at the electricity system as a whole and set us on the right path. We need a road map that recognises the complexity of the challenge we face.

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At the 2020 Conservative Party Conference, Prime Minister Boris Johnson outlined the UK’s ambitions to become ‘the Saudi Arabia of wind power’ through the development of huge offshore wind farms. He said the UK would become "the world leader in clean wind energy".

Building a net zero electricity system

The new working capital will enable Riding Sunbeams to provide a commercial route to market for community energy groups looking for new projects to develop and connect them to regional rail network operators like Network Rail who will pay them a fair price for their power. This will enable rail network operators to source competitively priced green electricity at the same time as supporting local communities, as well as the UK’s efforts to achieve a net zero economy.
Riding Sunbeams hopes to demonstrate a new, fairer, greener way to do business and embody how a just transition is possible by bringing together charities, communities, corporates and government to decarbonise and power the rail network. With its world-leading model it intends to boost the community energy sector and overcome existing barriers like grid constraints and energy price volatility, to ensure local people benefit from projects in their neighbourhood. Community groups and developers with eligible projects are being encouraged to get in touch with the organisation.
Following this funding agreement, the company formally incorporated a commitment to a just transition in its legal rules of governance, making it the first UK company to do this. Unlike other companies who have committed to socially and environmentally responsible behaviour, Riding Sunbeams wrote a just transition commitment into its legal working agreement. This means that any decision taken by the social enterprise will be made in line with the principles of a just transition.
The team proved the technical concept of powering railways directly by solar power with its First Light demonstrator project in Aldershot last year. Riding Sunbeams is currently leading another First of a Kind project funded by Innovate UK and the Department for Transport, which aims to power electrified rail networks which run on alternating current (AC) power from overhead lines.

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Solar Power Railway Launch

Solar trains company, Riding Sunbeams, has received its first commercial funding from Thrive Renewables and Friends Provident Foundation. This will enable the team to develop community owned renewable energy projects to directly power the rail network at a commercial scale for the first time

Solar trains pioneer receives its first commercial funding

But how do you turn heat found in the rocks under our feet into electricity we can use in our home?

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<h3>First, we need to get to where its hot</h3>
United Downs consists of two wells drilled into the rock to different depths at a specific angle. The ‘injection’ well, reaches a depth of a 2,393m and the ‘production’ well reaches a depth of 5,275m, the deepest ever drilled in the UK. They are both drilled at a specific angle to intercept the Porthtowen Fault Zone (PTF) at these depths.
The PTF is a fault zone which stretches from Porthtowen in the north of Cornwall and Falmouth in the south. It is an area of rock filled with fissures, or cracks, which allow water to filter through it. The PTF stretches deep into the earth. Where the production well intercepts it, the temperature is 188 Centigrade.
The schematic below describes how the project will work once fully operational.
<img decoding="async" src="https://www.thriverenewables.co.uk/media/2228/wells.jpg?width=620&amp;mode=none&amp;scale=downscaleonly&amp;quality=80" />
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<div class="cms media js-cms-done">United Downs geothermal project schematic</div>
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<h3>Now we&#8217;ve reached the heat, how do we get it to the surface?</h3>
We use ordinary water to transfer the heat to the surface. Hot water is pumped from the bottom of the production well to the powerplant at the surface where it is turned into electricity.  After this process, the cooler water is then passed to the injection well where it then filters through the fissures found in the PTF, absorbing the heat from the surrounding rock as it heads towards the production well.  Then the cycle begins again.
<h3>So how do we turn hot water into clean electricity?</h3>
Surprisingly, this part is well established. Much like your traditional thermal powerplant, United Downs uses steam to turn a turbine which generates electricity. The key difference is where the steam comes from.
Hot water from the production well is passed through a heat exchanger. This uses a special liquid with a very low boiling point to extract the heat from the well water, turn it into vapour, which in turn turns the turbine, generating renewable electricity. The cooled water is then returned to the system to restart its journey.
Geothermal energy production produces zero emissions as it does not use, produce, or extract hydrocarbons. It has a low visual impact and small land use.
The diagram below shows how electricity is generated from the system planned for the United Downs project.
<img decoding="async" src="https://www.thriverenewables.co.uk/media/2227/copy-of-geothermal-electricity-generation.png?width=620&amp;mode=none&amp;scale=downscaleonly&amp;quality=80" />
Infographic demonstrating how electricity is generated from geothermal energy
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<h3>What&#8217;s happening now?</h3>
Testing work at United Downs was delayed during lockdown due to supply chain issues and to protect the health of staff and suppliers. The team have adapted their practices to ensure a Covid safe environment. Recent testing has unearthed the deepest rock sample ever taken in the UK and revealed temperatures of 188 centigrade, hot enough for geothermal electricity generation. They are now busy testing flow rates of the water through the fissures. We hope to be exporting clean electricity to the grid at United Downs by the end of 2021.
<h3>What is the history of the project?</h3>
The long history of mining and various research projects into Cornwall’s geology carried out in the 1980s have generated substantial evidence and knowledge about Cornwall’s geology. ‘Hot Dry Rocks’, a long-running geothermal energy research project, in operation between 1976 and 1991, confirmed the high temperatures which are found deep underground in Cornwall’s granite, identifying its potential to provide renewable electricity and heat.
The Geothermal Engineering team has worked on the United Downs project for the past 10 years. During this time, they have successfully completed the research on the geology of the location, analysed the location of the PTF, secured planning consent, land lease and grid connection, and procured and delivered the drilling works. The successful drilling of the injection and production wells into the fault zone was completed in the Summer 2019.
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[1] Total global installed geothermal capacity, 2015, International Geothermal Association (<a class="js-scroll-done" href="https://www.geothermal-energy.org/explore/our-databases/geothermal-power-database/#electricity-generation-by-plant" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-anchor="#electricity-generation-by-plant">https://www.geothermal-energy.org/explore/our-databases/geothermal-power-database/#electricity-generation-by-plant</a>)
</div>

united-downs-geothermal-2

United Downs geothermal

The United Downs geothermal project will use heat from the rock, around 5km beneath the ground, to generate renewable electricity.

How does it work: geothermal electricity generation

In the first quarter of 2020, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/jun/25/renewable-energy-breaks-uk-record-in-first-quarter-of-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">renewables generated 47% of the UK electricity needs</a>, smashing last year’s record of 39%. This substantial increase in the total renewable energy output was chiefly driven by a growth in electricity generated by solar panels and windfarms which climbed by more than a third over the last year, according to the government’s energy analysts. New wind farms and an especially wet and windy weather at the beginning of the year helped to generate record wind power generation, a whopping 30%.
In mid-April, at 12:30 in the afternoon, the UK recorded it highest ever solar energy generation. Thanks to an especially sunny month and a reduction in air pollution caused by lockdown, solar generation reached <a href="https://www.edie.net/news/10/UK-smashes-solar-generation-record/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a peak of 9.68GW</a>, meeting approximately 30% of the UKs electricity needs.
We experienced the sunniest May on record and increased solar generation along with reduced electricity demand, contributed to the UK’s longest ever coal-free period since the beginning of the industrial revolution. The period ran for 67 days 22 hours and 55 minutes, from 9th April to 16th June. This was a fantastic achievement for the sector, demonstrating our reliance on polluting fossil fuels is coming to an end. A decade ago <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/britain-coal-free-industrial-revolution-renewable-energy-climate-change-a9556011.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">40%</a> of our energy came from coal power plants and going coal free for any length of time would’ve been unthinkable. In 2019 just <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/britain-coal-free-industrial-revolution-renewable-energy-climate-change-a9556011.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2.1%</a> of the country’s total power mix came from coal and the UK has plans to close all coal power plants by 2025.
On Saturday 24th May the <a href="https://www.businessgreen.com/news/4015600/progress-quiet-spectacular-britain-power-grid-emissions-hit-record-lows" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lowest-carbon day</a> in the history of the UK’s electricity grid was recorded at an average of 61g of carbon dioxide per kWh. The following day the grid hit another environmental milestone when it dipped to its lowest carbon intensity ever, dropping to 18g CO2/kWh for more than an hour. At the time, 65 per cent of our electricity was being sourced from renewables.
Throughout lockdown, decreased demand and increased renewable capacity have given us a glimpse of what an energy system run completely off renewables might look like. We must continue to make these strides forward, to deliver a green recovery and accomplish our net zero goals.

auchtygils

Auchtygils

2019 was a record breaking year for renewables, generating more electricity than fossil fuels during the third quarter, for the first time ever. And 2020’s looking even better!

Renewables records point to positive future

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Our analysis, which you can read in full <a title="Delivering A Green Recovery With UK Renewable Power Final" href="https://www.thriverenewables.co.uk/media/2196/delivering-a-green-recovery-with-uk-renewable-power-final.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-udi="umb://media/e3939cc830204a2c9db4b435ffe07737">here</a>, shows that:
<ul>
<li>There is a £66.5 billion potential investment opportunity for the UK between now and 2035 – £4.75 billion per year (£2.75 billion onshore wind).2</li>
<li>Unlocking this potential could deliver:
<ul>
<li>45,000 new jobs3 and;</li>
<li>£28.9bn pumped into the UK economy by 2035.2</li>
<li>And save UK consumers up to £1.5bn a year.6</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The UK’s legal obligation to achieve net zero carbon emissions is providing a significant investment opportunity – 5GW of onshore renewables must be rolled out every year between now and 2035 to be on track. This is more than triple the amount approved over the last year.1,2</li>
<li>Action by the Government is essential to unlock the enormous potential of onshore renewable energy to deliver immediate investment, jobs and UK green growth.</li>
</ul>
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&nbsp;
Our analysis explores how policy changes and planning guidance have been blocking the growth of the onshore renewables market for over four years. We call on the Government to deliver supportive policies that could unlock immediate private sector investment in new infrastructure, stimulate economic growth and help accelerate towards our legally-binding 2050 net zero target.
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<h3>Unblocking the blockers</h3>
Our analysis recommends two simple and cost neutral actions that the UK Government should implement urgently to drive new investment and accelerate recovery:
<h3>Deliver policy stability</h3>
UK policy is like crazy paving at the moment. Electricity generated by different sources is priced differently due to the varying support levels and changes in energy policies over the last 20 years. This makes it extremely challenging to make informed, long-term, investment decisions, hence the current lack of investment. New onshore renewables are currently the only electricity source which is wholly reliant on selling on the open market. The Government must demonstrate clear support by delivering long-term, simple energy policies that allow investment decisions to be based on market fundamentals.
Certainty over mechanisms, such as the price stabilising Contract for Difference auctions, would support the business case for renewable energy and ultimately lead to the UK being able to better utilise the benefits of its abundant natural resources – wind, sunshine and rain.
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<h3></h3>
&nbsp;
<h3>Remove planning blockers</h3>
Unlike any other form of development, new onshore wind applications in England have to demonstrate to planners that the project is sited within an area designated for wind development by the local authority, within the local plan. However, the lifecycle of local plans can be 30 years, and many have therefore not been updated since that requirement came into place in 2015.This effectively means planning permission is automatically blocked for new onshore wind projects in much of England. Two thirds of local authorities have declared a climate emergency, but many have not had the time to reflect this in their local plan. They therefore may not be able to grant planning consent to well-sited, appropriately-sized wind farms which will contribute to the UK’s net-zero targets. By removing this one piece of red tape from the National Planning Policy Framework, the UK Government could unleash investment and deliver lower bills and cleaner energy supply for UK consumers and businesses.There is also no uniform approach to life extension and repowering, which has the potential to generate more clean power, more cheaply using modern infrastructure. Without a uniform approach to planning, the risk for potential developers is too high and many are not able to justify the business case to make repowering happen. Every £1 of investment which can be de-risked will lower the cost of energy for UK homes and businesses.
<h3 class="cms rte js-cms-done">Renewables &#8211; the obvious choice</h3>
<ul>
<li>Renewables are much faster to deploy than nuclear: In the same two years spent moving soil and laying the foundations of Hinkley Point C, sufficient new renewable capacity was commissioned and had delivered power equivalent to the nuclear site’s total planned generation (22GWh annually).4</li>
<li>Onshore wind is cheaper than gas: New onshore wind can deliver power at £49 per MWh today – 12.5% cheaper than gas generation. This trend is only set to continue with the cost of renewable generation expected to continue its decline.5</li>
</ul>

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<h3></h3>
<h3>Repowering existing renewable power</h3>
Another opportunity to stimulate the expansion of renewables is to enable existing sites to be upgraded – “repowered” – with new and more advanced technology. The UK has almost 30GW of onshore renewable power generation. These wind, solar and hydro technologies are designed to operate for between 25-35 years. At the end of their life, rather than close down the site, the best approach is to replace the old wind or solar technology with latest turbines or panels. In the case of onshore wind, this can often result in fewer wind turbines with greater productivity.
Repowering is much cheaper than building on a new site – the infrastructure is already there such as access roads and grid connections – and quicker to develop. Caton Moor is a Thrive Renewables onshore wind site in Lancashire. The site was repowered in 2006. Eight new turbines were installed, capable of generating seven times the power of the previous 10. Caton Moor wind farm is now supplying more clean energy more efficiently to UK consumers.
Combining repowering with a programme of building new onshore renewables is another way to unlock the much needed long term growth potential of the sector.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
[1] The Committee on Climate Change has consistently called for onshore wind and solar to be included in the Government’s renewable energy strategy. Total UK electricity supply will need to double by 2050, and electricity from low-carbon sources will need to quadruple, in order to deliver the UK’s commitment to become a Net Zero emissions economy by that year. <a href="https://www.theccc.org.uk/2020/03/03/ccc-welcomes-government-re-commitment-to-onshore-wind-and-solar/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.theccc.org.uk/2020/03/03/ccc-welcomes-government-re-commitment-to-onshore-wind-and-solar/</a>
[2] Trade bodies (RUK, STA and BHA), are suggesting 77GW of the required growth to hit net zero can be delivered by onshore renewables by 2035. This will require building 5.5GW of onshore renewable capacity annually between now and 2035. This creates an annual investment opportunity of £4.75bn. Of this £2.75bn is required to deliver onshore wind, £1.4bn Solar and £0.6bn Hydro (CAPEX estimates based on current market procurement). It is estimated that over 40% of the development and capital expenditure is UK content. The proportion of UK content renewable projects grows in the operational phase, estimated to be 66% for onshore wind. <a href="https://bvgassociates.com/economic-benefits-onshore-wind-farms/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://bvgassociates.com/economic-benefits-onshore-wind-farms/. </a>The UK content of the development and construction of ground mounted solar PV is estimated to be 46%, growing to 68% in the operational phase (<a href="https://www.solar-trade.org.uk/sta-calls-for-government-to-commit-to-2030-solar-target-to-drive-green-recovery/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.solar-trade.org.uk/sta-calls-for-government-to-commit-to-2030-solar-target-to-drive-green-recovery/ </a>).  The BHA estimate that 70% of CAPEX and OPEX of small hydro is UK content (<a href="http://www.british-hydro.org/hydro-facts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">http://www.british-hydro.org/hydro-facts/</a>)
[3] Job creation calculations based on estimates from industry associations. Wind 18,800, Solar 22,800, Hydro 3,250
[4] Hinkley Point C
<ul>
<li>Capacity – 3260MW</li>
<li>Homes equivalent – 6,000,000</li>
<li>Estimated annual generation – 22,374,000 GWh</li>
<li>Began construction – 2016</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://www.edfenergy.com/energy/nuclear-new-build-projects/hinkley-point-c/about%20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.edfenergy.com/energy/nuclear-new-build-projects/hinkley-point-c/about</a>
Non thermal renewable generation (natural flow hydro, wind, wave and solar PV)
<div class="cms-table">
<table border="0" width="1231">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="28%">Year</td>
<td width="25%">GWh</td>
<td width="46%">Change GWh</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="28%">2016</td>
<td width="25%">53015</td>
<td width="46%"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="28%">2017</td>
<td width="25%">66949</td>
<td width="46%">13934</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="28%">2018</td>
<td width="25%">74960</td>
<td width="46%">8011</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="28%"></td>
<td width="25%">TOTAL:</td>
<td width="46%">21,945.00 GWh</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/historical-electricity-data%20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/historical-electricity-data</a>
[5] <a href="https://www.vivideconomics.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Quantifying_the_Benefits_of-report-.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.vivideconomics.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Quantifying_the_Benefits_of-report-.pdf</a>, <a href="https://www.solarpowerportal.co.uk/news/uk_solar_costs_plummeting_beyond_forecasts_as_cheap_as_40_mwh_by_2030" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.solarpowerportal.co.uk/news/uk_solar_costs_plummeting_beyond_forecasts_as_cheap_as_40_mwh_by_2030</a>
[6] Saving calculated using Arup (2018) Cost of Capital Benefits or Revenue Stabilisation via a Contract for Difference: <a href="https://www.arup.com/perspectives/publications/research/section/onshore-wind-financing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.arup.com/perspectives/publications/research/section/onshore-wind-financing</a>,  Multiplied by the anticipated growth of onshore renewable projects from RUK, STA and BHA (see footnote 2), and the number of UK households <a href="https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/families/adhocs/005374totalnumb" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/families/adhocs/005374totalnumb</a>.

soil

Onshore renewables could boost UK economy by £28.9bn by 2035.

Delivering a green recovery with UK renewable power

As part of Community Energy Fortnight, our Senior Investment Manager, Monika Papalaczyk takes us on the journey of Mean Moor wind farm &#8211; from ambition to reality. Read the full story on Community Energy England’s <a href="https://www.communityenergyengland.org/news/going-full-circle-the-story-of-mean-moor-wind-farm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">website</a>.
<img decoding="async" src="/media/2821/community-bridge-model-illustration-271117.jpg" />

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Meanmoor investors1400

Community co-operatives successfully raise £5.7M to repay Thrive’s Community Energy Funding Bridge

Going full circle: the story of Mean Moor

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<h3>Foodbanks</h3>
When the UK went into lockdown, many people’s lives changed drastically overnight. <a href="https://www.trusselltrust.org/2020/06/03/food-banks-busiest-month/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Trussell Trust</a> reports the need for emergency food parcels increased by 89% compared with last year, including a 107% increase in parcels given to children. It is unsurprising then that many of the suggestions from local communities was for the donations to go to foodbanks.  Run by dedicated staff and volunteers, they are often the last resort for many vulnerable people affected by the pandemic.
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Aberdeenshire North Foodbank, located close to our Auchtygills and Clayfords wind farms, received a donation from Thrive to help support their operations.

Morcombe Bay Foodbank has also been experiencing high demand and the funds went to keeping their operations running such as electricity, rent and vehicle maintenance, something which has become even more vital as many self-isolating will be relying on food parcel deliveries.
<h3>Tackling isolation</h3>
As we all know, tragically care home residents have been especially hard hit by the pandemic. Their increased vulnerability has led to many homes shutting their doors to visitors in order to protect residents, leading to feelings of isolation and loneliness. Technology can help alleviate these feelings by helping residents connect virtually with their loved ones no matter the distance.
Smiddybrae Activities Association is an organisation which works with Smiddybrae House, a residential care home near our Sigurd wind farm on Orkney. They fundraise to provide activities and trips for the residents and received a grant from Thrive.

<h3>Supporting home learning</h3>
Home learning has been a huge change in many peoples lives since lockdown. Many parents have had to learn to juggle both working from home as well as becoming a teacher to their children. Home learning can be very challenging for parents and children alike, but Blackridge Primary School Parents Council are working to try to help. The school is located near to Drumduff wind farm in West Lothian, Scotland, a joint venture with the Scottish based renewable energy company, GreenPower. The parents’ council received a joint donation from Thrive and GreenPower to create home activity packs for every child at the school, providing ready-made ideas for stretched parents and much needed activities for bored kids.

Emma from Bristol NW foodbank organising donations

Volunteer from Helensburgh & Lomond foodbank collecting donations

Volunteers from Helensburgh & Lomond foodbank

Resident from Smiddybrae house with their new iPad

Operations at Aberdeenshire North foodbank

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Unit 7 1

Thrive owns and operates multiple renewable energy projects across the country and the communities who host our projects are important to us. As a responsible business, we wanted to help them during the Covid-19 pandemic.

A helping hand: communities supporting each other through crisis

Hear from the experts who spend their days evaluating renewable energy projects and modelling a range of finance and development options to create robust, successful schemes. The session will cover the fundamentals of your business plan including feasibility, how your energy will be sold and what to consider from a finance perspective. The panel will also explore how to access the funds you need to make your community energy project happen.
<h5>AGENDA</h5>
Welcome &#8211;  Matthew Clayton, Managing Director, Thrive Renewables
Early stage funding  &#8211; John Taylor, Energy Projects Manager, Greater South East Energy Hub
Mean Moor wind farm, case study &#8211; Energy4All
Community Energy funding options  &#8211; Monika Paplaczyk, Senior Investment Manager, Thrive Renewables
Question &amp; Answer session
Attendance is free and open to members and supporters of community energy groups. The session is informal and interactive, there will be plenty of time for questions.
<p data-key="22" 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">This event is part of <a href="https://communityenergyengland.org/pages/community-energy-fortnight" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Community Energy Fortnight</a>, which Thrive Renewables is proud to sponsor.
<p data-key="22" data-slate-fragment="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"><a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/funding-your-community-energy-project-tickets-108081083430" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Register here.</a>

dc25

DC25

One of the biggest challenges facing community energy groups is funding.

Webinar: funding your community energy project

Now in its seventh year, the 2023 programme awarded a record £37,692 to ten community groups. The estimated carbon savings from this round alone amount to 7.5 tonnes CO2 equivalent every year. We also provided free online training on the topics of energy advice, community approaches to tackling fuel poverty, and community building energy efficiency. 50% of the people who came to these training sessions had not previously engaged with the programme but were eager to do so afterwards, with two-thirds saying they had been inspired to conduct a survey of their building. Plus, everyone who attended expressed motivation to support their communities in tackling fuel poverty, with all groups also keen to initiate their energy projects.  
Hear from some of the grantees in <a href="https://www.cse.org.uk/news/community-buildings-are-thrive-ing-across-the-uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CSE’s article</a>.

hawksbury-hospital-hall-e1710320781213

It’s been a record year for our Community Benefit Programme– over £37,000 awarded in energy efficiency grants.

Community buildings thriving across the UK

Figures by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and analysed by think tank New Economics Foundation, revealed that only seven applications were submitted last year – but all of those <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/feb/15/zero-plans-for-public-onshore-windfarms-submitted-last-year-in-england" target="_blank" rel="noopener">related to the replacement of existing turbines or were for private sites, where the energy produced is destined for a particular consumer, such as a business</a>. 
The number was lower than the 10 applications submitted in 2022, when the de facto ban was still in place, despite the adjustments made to the National Planning Policy Framework in September 2023 which the government claimed would “make it easier and quicker for onshore wind projects to come forward, where there is local support”.  
<h3>Is it only England that&#8217;s falling behind? </h3>
In contrast to the lack of new applications in England, <a href="https://www.endsreport.com/article/1861845/no-new-plans-onshore-wind-england-despite-relaxed-rules%22%20/l%20%22:~:text=There%20were%20no%20new%20planning,onshore%20wind%2C%20new%20data%20shows." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Scotland saw 46 applications made for grid- connected onshore wind farms last year</a> and has openly embraced the technology as part of its future energy mix. Through the <a href="https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/scotland-signs-deal-with-sector-to-ensure-it-can-reach-20gw-of-onshore-wind-by-2030-25-09-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Scottish Onshore Wind Sector Deal</a>, which was signed by the government and major industry players in September 2023, it has <a href="https://www.renewableuk.com/news/652133/Scottish-Onshore-Wind-Sector-Deal-can-provide-blueprint-for-all-of-UK.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">outlined a number of measures</a> to help ensure Scotland delivers on its promises of 20GW of onshore wind by 2030 &#8211; more than double its current operational capacity of 9.38GW.  
This includes: 
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">a commitment that it will take no longer than a year for Scottish onshore wind farms to go through the planning system, </li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1">engagement with local communities at the earliest opportunity to agree a package of community benefits, and </li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1">greater recycling of turbine components to make the supply chain even more sustainable.  </li>
</ul>
And if Scotland can do it, why can’t the rest of the UK follow suit? Especially when we know that people are not only in favour of onshore wind, but that the technology is instrumental in delivering cheaper, cleaner power to households still feeling the effects of the recent energy and cost of living crises. In fact, <a href="https://www.businessgreen.com/news/4112821/staggering-englands-onshore-wind-ban-costing-british-billpayers-gbp-1bn-research" target="_blank" rel="noopener">research by Carbon Brief</a> found that the de facto ban in England had cost billpayers a &#8220;staggering&#8221; £5.1 billion in 2022.  
“Onshore wind remains the cheapest source of clean energy in the UK and has already contributed to billions in savings for UK households. But England continues to miss out on tapping this valuable resource, while Scotland and the rest of Europe add large amounts of wind capacity every year.” –  <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/feb/15/zero-plans-for-public-onshore-windfarms-submitted-last-year-in-england" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chaitanya Kumar, head of environment and green transition, New Economics Foundation thinktank</a> 
While the government’s micro-adjustments in policy have evidently had little effect, we were still waiting for the results of the government’s consultation into community benefit, launched in May 2023 as part of what was – at the time – dubbed “green day”. Now published, it sought “views on improvements that could be made to the existing system of community engagement and community benefits for onshore wind in England”, with 76 responses from a variety of stakeholders, including Thrive.  
<h3>What are the results of the government&#8217;s consultation? </h3>
Following the consultation, the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/developing-local-partnerships-for-onshore-wind-in-england" target="_blank" rel="noopener">government has confirmed that it intends to</a>:  
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="4" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1">Formally embed best practice principles of community engagement into official planning guidance. </li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="4" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="5" data-aria-level="1">Work with the onshore wind industry and other stakeholders to update the Community Benefits Protocol for Onshore Wind in England. </li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="4" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="6" data-aria-level="1">Take ownership of the Community Benefits Protocol and publish it as official guidance on GOV.UK, providing the whole of the onshore wind industry with clear expectations on community benefits and giving greater certainty to communities. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="4" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Provide supporting information and case studies on community benefits to help upskill local communities and streamline the community benefits process, including setting out the instances in which developers could provide additional support to communities. </li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="4" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1">Develop a mechanism for the onshore wind industry to formally sign-up and endorse the updated Protocol, which will provide greater trust and transparency for communities. </li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="4" data-list-defn-props="{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1">Consider establishing a public community benefits register that can capture details of community benefit packages, to allow communities to compare offers and drive best practice. </li>
</ul>
We absolutely agree that onshore wind projects should benefit local communities and will continue to work with community energy groups looking to make their projects a reality. However, the government needs to understand that communities will not get to reap any benefits at all if projects never make it into existence. The fact that there were no planning applications in 2023 is proof that developers are still struggling to justify the high cost of navigating the planning process, without clarity on the likelihood of success. We believe that significant reform is still needed if we are to harness wind power to its full potential. 
What we have, and will continue calling for, is for onshore wind to be treated in the same way as other infrastructure projects, as well as the removal of footnote 54 (which sets out the conditions that have to be met for development to be considered &#8216;acceptable) from the National Planning Policy Framework.

While onshore wind delivered almost a third of the UK’s electricity supply last year, England is still failing to harness its true power – despite government ‘reform’.

Proof is in the pudding? Zero planning applications for public onshore wind farms in England last year

Beochlich consists of two Pelton 21X2.45 turbines, fed via a pipeline which creates the pressure to drive the turbines most efficiently. A storage reservoir is incorporated which allows the flow to be regulated to an optimum level when rainfall is high as well as store water during periods of lower rainfall. Water diverted from the Beochlich Burn is returned to the same water course downstream. 
The project generates roughly 4.5GWh of renewable electricity a year – enough to power 1,126 UK homes. As well as being a key renewable energy source, the hydro project helps to regulate the water flow at Beochlich which is positive for plant health and irrigation purposes.

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