Local People Energy Generates Energy for Local People On 16 February 2017 I attended a very exciting event. It was a beautiful day. Lindsay Thomas and I from Grannell Community Energy (GCE) met up with Leila Sharland and Jon Halle from Small Wind Co-op and Paul Smith from the Energy Savings Trust (EST). We ascended the hill just outside Llangeitho to witness a community owned wind turbine being put up. It is an awe inspiring sight to be so close up to the actual turbine. It was also great to see the hard work so many people have put in come to fruition. This turbine will now generate clean renewable energy, it will provide extra income for a local farming family and, on top of all that, it will generate ÂŁ3000 per year for the local community. Thanks go to the Davies family of Troed y Bryn who have showed patience in their dealings with the planning department and with local objectors. Thanks go to Andy Rowland from Eco Dyfi for his continuing help and thanks to Paul Burrell and Paul Smith from EST. Small Wind Co-op have sold enough shares to enable this particular turbine to be erected. GCE is involved in this Troed y Bryn project in a minor way, in making sure the community fund will be distributed according to the wishes of the Co-op members. GCE is putting a lot more energy into trying to get a larger turbine built in Cribyn.
We have the planning permission and are going through a series of checks and hoops. The Directors are committed people who believe in community owned energy and can see all the benefits this brings. When the time is right, we will be looking to sell shares in this project too and hope that our local community of Grapevine readers will be right behind us and snapping them up. The Conservative Government has made it very difficult for community projects to succeed due to its complete abandonment of financial support for renewable energy projects in favour of crazy nuclear ones and carbon emitting fracking. We need to show that we are not going to be cowed but that we stand together and help each other bring these projects to a successful conclusion. Our children deserve that. Elly Foster Chair and Director of Grannell Community Energy
8