We love what community energy stands for and truly believe in a future energy system that is cheaper, cleaner and fairer for everyone. It’s why we’re proud to be the main sponsor for Community Energy Fortnight again this year.
Aligned to the theme of ‘skills sharing’, we wanted to share our decades-long experience in funding, building and operating clean energy projects in the form of a new downloadable resource for community energy groups. It includes information on Thrive’s multi award-winning funding model, local case studies and considerations for those looking to start their journey. You can download it here.
Flexible finance for communities
We feel that no one should be left behind in the clean energy transition and understand the importance of community ownership. As a renewable energy investment company, one way in which we can support groups is by providing the funding and expertise needed to get projects off the ground and delivering sustainable energy. This includes:
Funding the construction of England’s tallest onshore wind turbine with Ambition Community Energy
Last year, we used our award-winning community energy funding bridge to help a group of Bristol residents in building England’s largest onshore wind turbine. We provided a £4 million loan to Ambition Community Energy so that it could move this brilliant community initiative into construction after years of planning issues. It was added to loans from Bristol and Bath Regional Capital (BBRC) City Funds and members of the Society of Merchant Venturers, as well as a grant from the West of England Combined Authority Low Carbon Challenge Fund (part of the European Regional Development Fund).
The newly constructed turbine is capable of generating enough power for close to 3,000 homes – the equivalent to Lawrence Weston’s domestic use – and will save almost 48,345 tonnes* of carbon emissions over its lifetime. Profits from electricity sales will be reinvested back into local good causes, while the group also plan to build an Energy Learning Zone to inspire and upskill residents for zero carbon careers.
Find out if we could help you with your project
Since we first created our community funding bridge in 2016, we’ve invested over £16 million into local wind and solar projects in the UK. What makes us stand out as a potential partner?
- We act quickly and efficiently to help communities get the most out of their purchase.
- We offer flexible finance for a range of projects and technologies: hydro, solar, wind and storage.
- We structure our finance to respond to the needs of the community and the specifics of each project.
- We can provide access to a wide network of industry contacts, partners, suppliers, and industry bodies.
To find out more about our funding, you can download our new guide: ‘Power for the People: How to get your local clean energy project funded’ below.
* 2022 Carbon intensity figures https://www.gov.uk/government/ publications/greenhouse-gas-reporting-conversion-factors-2022