How it would work?
The electrical energy generated is shared at the rate of 5% to residents, and 95% to GA.
If the 5% were to be sold to the grid at export market rates, the value of this is estimated to be £101,000/yr. However, the value of the 5% electricity if directly used by the residents is £486,000/yr, rising to £557,000/yr by 2030 as non-commodity costs on electricity bills continue to rise.
To enable the Bretherton Energy Partnership to operate Bretherton Residents would set up a community enterprise (non for profit or community interest company) to receive and manage the income. The community energy company would set the energy rates, manage the energy club affairs and assist residents with;
• Providing advice, support and grants and zero/low-interest loans to help local households make their homes more energy efficient.
• Subsidising energy bills for low-income households.
• Providing funding for the community low carbon infrastructure such as electric vehicle charging points.
Investment in the 4.2 mW wind turbine, solar panels and batteries would be provided by GA in a phased approach where economics and other aspects allow. Any of the 5% surplus electricity not used by residents would be sold to help fund the development costs for community projects.
Local Supply
Bretherton Energy Partnership is evaluating local electricity supply specialists who provide the means by which residents can receive the electrical energy directly from the Asland Walks Energy Park. The local supply model would work as follows;
1. GA would build and operate the proposed Asland Walk Energy Park. Construction work would be completed in stages, depending on planning permission being granted and the finance being available. Ongoing discussions with ENWL are taking place, this will then determine and detail what electrical supply work is possible.
2. Bretherton residents would set up a not-for-profit community enterprise to run the Bretherton Energy Club
3. To benefit from the discounted electricity residents would need to join the Bretherton Energy Club and install a smart meter, which shows when and how much energy they are using. They would also need to be supplied by the same sub-station to which the battery system is connected.
4. Bretherton Energy Club Members would receive the first 5% of the renewable electricity generated from the Asland Energy Park . Electricity would be supplied via a ‘private wire’ which connects the Asland Energy Walks Park. Details of the electrical set up to be detailed following confirmation from ENWL.
5. Club members would receive electricity at a cost significantly lower (e.g 30% less) than market rates. The electricity sales revenue would be used to cover the running costs of the Energy Club with surplus sold to GA or the grid to fund community projects.
6. Club members would be able to see via the online club portal when renewable electrical power is available. This would allow members to change their usage and match their consumption to when the solar field and wind turbine is generating and benefit from the local club rate, – for example, turning on the dryer, charging their electric car and running a heat pump.
7. Once the proposed wind turbine and solar field are installed, 5% of their predicted output could meet Bretherton’s current electricity needs over 90% of the time.
8. A partner energy supplier (such as GEUK, Octopus etc.) is needed to facilitate the Bretherton Energy Club. The partner supplier matches club members’ consumption with the Asland Walks Energy Park wind and solar generation on a half-hourly basis. When they match, customers are billed at the reduced “club rate”. When the wind is not blowing, the sun is not shining and no electricity is available in the battery, the supplier provides ‘top-up’ power at the higher market rates. The supplier sends each household a single bill for the cost of the total power used.
9. The project is progressing and key details on the commercial and technical viability of the Bretherton Energy Club are also being assessed and developed, but there is still lots of work to do.
Governance
Bretherton will need to set up a community enterprise to manage the revenue share arrangement and Bretherton Energy Club in the future and distribute surplus income to local community projects.
The enterprise will be a not-for-profit organisation with an asset lock which restricts how surpluses are distributed and ensures they are applied to benefit the community of Bretherton rather than for private gain. It will be governed by a board of local volunteer directors. Bretherton residents will be eligible for £1 voting shares and membership decisions will be made on a ‘1 member 1 vote’ basis. It will be administered under a service contract with a community energy manager or by a local administrator.
The purpose of the community enterprise would be to supply Bretherton residents, businesses and community organisations with low cost, low carbon power and to generate surplus income to support community projects in the parish, with a focus on supporting the community and individual households to transition to net zero.
Next Steps
Work is continuing to assess the Environmental Impacts of the proposed scheme. Full details of all final reports, and updates are available under the “Resources” Tab on this website.
A community survey carried out by Bretherton Parish Council during Winter 2022/2023 showed broad support for the Project. The survey results are published on the resources tab page. The FAQs have been updated to address the key queries and concerns of local residents that were highlighted by the survey.
The Bretherton Energy Partnership now a member of Regen, which is an independent non-profit organisation and network, assisting community energy members and is a recognised body who provide government guidance and consultation
