In one of the first deals of its kind in Scotland, an onshore wind farm has
been financed with the goal of targeting fuel poverty in Scotland.
The innovative structure of the deal for the new Pogbie wind farm brings
together multiple stakeholders, including Mongoose Energy, the Renewable
Energy Investment Fund and Close Brothers Leasing.
The aim of the project is to support the Edinburgh-based not-for-profit
energy supplier Our Power in its fuel poverty alleviation aims. The £13
million of debt funding has been secured to allow the acquisition and
development of the site.
Once finalised, Pogbie wind farm, near the hamlet of Humbie, will comprise
12 turbines with a total capacity of 9.6 megawatts. Nett surpluses from
the project will go towards communities that are suffering fuel poverty via
Our Power, and other local causes.
Pogbie wind farm in East Lothian is a collaboration between Our Power and
Mongoose Energy, a company which is majority-owned by community groups and
was set up in 2014 to develop and manage community energy systems.
The company will be responsible for building the turbines and associated
infrastructure, with ownership transferring to a community benefit company,
Our Community Energy, on completion in 2018.
Alister Steele, Chairman of Our Power, said: “This deal creates the
potential to not only secure local renewable energy in a cost effective
way, which will help us deliver our social mission of tackling fuel
poverty, but provides the potential for wider community investment in the
assets.
“Directly linking renewable generation and not for profit ownership to
addressing fuel poverty is a really exciting breakthrough.”
Since its launch in 2015, Wiltshire-based Mongoose Energy has helped bring
more than 66 MW of solar power into community ownership, as well as finance
more than £70 million of renewable energy projects in the UK.
Mark Kenber
Mark Kenber, chief executive of Mongoose Energy, commented: “Our mission is
to drive community ownership and control of renewable energy generation to
create a fair and sustainable energy system.
“We are delighted to be developing Pogbie wind farm which will offer local
stakeholders the opportunity to invest directly in the project, contribute
to addressing fuel poverty and provide tangible benefits to the local
community.”
Chris Rodgers, Head of Energy Finance at Close Brothers Leasing, commented:
“This is an exciting deal and one that we are very proud to be a part of.
“The significance of getting this deal agreed in a reduced-subsidy
environment should not be underestimated because it sends a strong message
that these sorts of agreements are still possible, and – importantly – viable.”
Meanwhile, Green Power chief executive Rob Forrest and EDF’s Scottish
nuclear lobbyist David Cameron have been appointed as chairman and
vice-chairman respectively of Scottish Renewables.
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