Sustainable Hockerton Ltd News (December 2011)

It has been a windy year so far. As you can see from the graph we are up by about 23% on last years figures to November. (Last year April to November output was 172 663 kWh this year it’s 211 900 kWh.

The FiT payments went up in April from 18.8p/kWh to 19.7p/kWh and Good Energy Ltd have also just increased the amount they pay us for electricity from 3.4p/kWh to 4.8p/kWh.  All in all looking quite good for this year’s potential revenue! As an operator of a single turbine we are exposed to risks of breakdown so we have continued with the servicing and keep a close eye on its operation.

Unfortunately turbines near here have been broken into on several occasions and the internal wiring stolen - probably for the scrap copper. As you can imagine this causes severe disruption, inconvenience and lost revenue. To deter thieves and vandals the directors took the decision to up rate the security on our turbine door and plant room. We have also installed an alarm system. As well as sounding a siren it automatically notifies a security firm who will attend promptly to investigate. I believe some thieves were apprehended in this way on a neighbouring wind farm. It’s a sad turn of events to have to consider these actions, please be vigilant.

On a more pleasant note we have been progressing some more actions with the village to become more sustainable. We are looking at turning the village phone box into a book swap venue. We are progressing the idea of creating a footpath from Hockerton to Southwell and looking to develop a village green. We have had designed an information board to communicate more with residents. We are encouraging people to take up energy saving measures with financial support and we are having a village get-together in the pub to discuss these ideas and plans  - and for a celebration!

Some investors have donated their interest payment to support our sustainable enterprises. Thank you very much for this.

And now a plug for the Hockerton Housing Project Harvesting The Wind Workshop 28th January 2012. Perfect for communities wanting to put up a wind turbine. Click HHP Workshop Harvesting the Wind for more details.

Finally I would like to pass on some news from Co-operatives UK – we seem to be part of a growing band! (The Guide seems useful as do the case studies, especially the PV on the school roof example, page 25.)

Dear friends,

As we come to the end of 2011, I want to take a moment to acknowledge and thank you for your work in support of community and co-operative models of energy. 

As I look back over the year, what sticks in my mind is the flourishing of so many green energy co-operatives. Despite the economic woes, the co-operative sector is growing in a dynamic way – and none more so than around renewable energy, with the time, money and commitment of local people.

Only this week we’ve seen Co-operatives UK member Bath and West Community Energy complete what is to date the largest community share issue for solar, raising over £700,000 from local people.

It’s in this context that I’m delighted to send you a pre-release copy of our new report, ‘Co-operative renewable energy in the UK. A guide to this growing sector’ which is now available on our website at www.uk.coop/renewable, although it is not formally published until tomorrow.

Written by Becky Willis and Jenny Willis and funded by The Co-operative Group, the report covers the key characteristics of energy co-operatives as well as challenges and benefits. There are now 43 communities who are in the process of or already producing renewable energy, and together have invested over £16 million.

Can we scale up community energy to a level that can green our communities and reinvest in local economies? I believe we can - working with many of you.

So, please do circulate this to your networks and contacts. I would welcome your feedback and by all means join our current discussion group on energy co-operatives on our LinkedIn page here: http://s.coop/7r06

Next year promises to be a pivotal year for our cause. The United Nations International Year of Co-operatives offers a once in a generation chance to accelerate change. I look forward to working with you to help us build an unstoppable movement for a people-centred economy, powered, naturally, by renewable energy.

Very best 

Ed

Ed Mayo 
Secretary General
Co-operatives UK

Tel: 0161 246 2903
Fax: 0161 834 8096

secretary.general@uk

Happy Christmas and new year.

All the best

Simon Tilley

Director

Sustainable Hockerton Ltd