Madam,

As chair and director of Grannell Community Energy, I wish to explain the plans for our renewable energy project on Banc y Moelfre (between Llanwnnen and Cribyn).

This is a unique project that has taken many years to come to fruition. GCE has full planning permission to build a wind turbine and will erect it according to all the rules.

Since the original plans went before Ceredigion’s Development Committee, the UK Government has changed its support for wind turbines by considerably lowering the Feed-in-Tariffs (FiTs).

Whilst that is regrettable, it did not stop us, enthusiastic supporters of wind energy, as for us the most important thing is to help create a future fit for our children and grandchildren. We therefore will do anything in our capacity to alleviate climate change.

The site at Ffrwd Farm is ideal for a wind turbine. It is high up, flat and open. The wind-speeds measured show that we can expect a good return on our investment.

However, without the UK Government’s high FiTs, we needed to examine the financial model carefully.

One of the decisions we made in the light of the new financial situation is to buy a second-hand turbine.

Professional suppliers have found us a brilliant turbine in the Netherlands. It will be refurbished to make it as good as new and will be properly supported by a team of well-qualified engineers to keep it going and repair it rapidly should that be needed.

The other decision we made pertains to the amount of return we can offer to investors and to the size of the community fund.

This community fund is an annual fund. As a board we decided that all three communities local to the turbine should benefit.

We are not bound by decisions made by the original developer. We have bought the project and are responsible for the decisions we make.

GCE is a Community Benefit Society and is run by a board of directors who are all unpaid. They are, however, all experienced in financial matters.

The board employs professionals for advice on legal, technical and financial matters. GCE is listed at Companies House and is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

The shares in the project are on offer now. Anyone (over 16) who buys shares will also have a say in how the project is run. We would like all local people to become members.

This project is a positive one, supported by politicians from the whole political spectrum. We have just found out that Ceredigion County Council is supporting us too by offering relief on business rates. Without this financial boost, we can still go ahead; with it, we can support more projects in the community to become more energy resilient.

Yours etc,

Elly Foster, chair and director, Grannell Community Energy.

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