Two operational wind turbines have been purchased by a local group to form the first community owned wind farm in the East Midlands. From January 1st 2009 Fens Co-op will own two wind turbines at the site at Deeping St Nicholas. Chairman Paul Rea said; "We are delighted that the desire of local people to own their own wind farm has come about. We have had enormous support for this project and are proud that there are now community owned wind turbines in the area."
Fens Co-op will own two 2MW turbines on the site at Deeping St Nicholas, on the Lincolnshire/Cambridgeshire border. These are the largest turbines in community ownership in England. The output from the two turbines will generate sufficient electricity for the equivalent of about 2,000 average homes.
The purchase follows a successful share offer which raised over 2.6 million from the 1,100 members of Fens Co-op. Paul Rea, said: "There is a high demand for community ownership and whenever people are given the opportunity to have a financial stake in a wind farm, the uptake is very encouraging. The successful share offer has enabled the group to purchase the turbines from the Deeping St Nicholas windfarm site developer, Fenland Windfarms Ltd, who operate 6 other turbines on the site and several other sites in the Fens area."
Lincolnshire Co-operative are one of the shareholders of Fens Co-op and its Chief Executive, Ursula Lidbetter commented, "I'm sure we reflect the views of all the shareholders in congratulating the Board of the Fenland Green Power Co-operative on achieving the purchase of our two wind turbines, which are now in the ownership of local people. Its a very proud day."
