South Brent Community Energy Society’s wind turbine near Marley Head has provided huge benefit in and near South Brent. Since 2013, as well as generating 3,900MWh of low-carbon electricity, it has enabled £284,000 to be given in grants to local organisations and businesses, all for energy-producing and energy-saving initiatives, such as improved insulation and LED lighting in community buildings and solar PV arrays, including those on:
South Brent and Diptford Primary Schools,
South Brent Village Hall,
Dean Prior Hall,
Palstone Recreation Pavilion,
Old School Community Centre,
The Health Centre, care homes and more besides.
Our parishes will benefit in the long-term through more comfortable buildings, made more sustainable through reduced energy bills.
As the wind turbine ages, keeping it in tip-top condition is becoming more and more challenging, creating an increasing burden on the volunteers over-seeing the process. Consequently – with funding from Great British Energy – a feasibility study is underway to investigate options for the turbine’s future.
A replacement turbine may well be the way to go: one that is taller and considerably more powerful. A new turbine, up to twice the height of the existing one, could generate four or five times the amount of energy, enough to supply around 750 households.
The feasibility study will show what is possible. To turn it into reality will require much effort for which a new generation of supporters and volunteers will be needed. This will be a long journey, requiring careful consideration of all community, neighbourly and environmental aspects, plus there would be around £2million of finance to be found.
Whatever happens, the ethos will remain the same: One turbine, 100% Community.
Further details will be available in forthcoming displays in the South Brent Old School Centre, on our website www.sbces.org.uk and we will be at the Old School on Saturday 5th December, from 10am to 12 noon as part of its 150th birthday celebrations and again on Friday 11th December between 10am and 12 noon. In the meantime, your constructive responses are warmly invited:
E-mail: info@sbces.org.uk or write to SBCES Ltd, School House, Totnes Road, South Brent, Devon TQ10 9BP.
South Brent Community Energy Society Limited is a registered society under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014, number 31498R. Registered Office: School House, Totnes Road, South Brent, Devon TQ10 9BP