Origin Energy is managing the development of a 5MW community wind energy development, to be built in Norton, near Doncaster, South Yorkshire.

The heat generator at Green Frog Power

About this project

The 2 wind turbines will be a community owned development, with funds generated by the plant being put back into the community. CO2Sense invested £145,788 to help fund the feasibility and planning costs of the development. CO2Sense is also giving the project technical support at monthly board meetings. The wind turbine development will produce 13GWh of electricity each year – this is enough energy to power around 3,000 homes and save 7,150 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. The clean electricity generated by the project will be sold to the National Grid. The wind turbines will generate profits of between £250,000 and £350,000 per year for the first 12 years, and £600,000 per year after that. These funds will be used in the Norton area, some going straight to residents and some being used for community projects.

The Green Frog Power Plant uses Gphase, a by-product of biodiesel productions and waste from vegetable oil that has been traditionally sent to landfill.

The Gphase can usually be secured at no cost. Once Green Frog has collected the oil, it can be converted into valuable fuels. Some of this is used for energy generation, with the rest sold as a component for biodiesel production by local businesses.

Renewable Energy

Community owned 2 turbine wind energy development

Will produce enough electricity to power 3,000 homes each year

Will produce up to £600,000 income that will be used in community projects in the Norton area

Will save 71,500 tonnes of CO2 over a ten year period

Received £185,500 from CO2Sense to help progress the project to submitting the planning application in autumn 2011.

“This is an ambitious project that will be producing both substantial amounts of clean electricity and revenue for the community. It is a great example of how much can be done by a community working together."
Victoria Maynard
CONSULTANT - CO2SENSE

Victoria Maynard, Consultant at CO2Sense, said, “This is an ambitious project that will be producing both substantial amounts of clean electricity and revenue for the community. It is a great example of how much can be done by a community working together”. Origin Energy has established the Norton energy Community – a co-operative that will own the plant and decide upon the use of the profits that will be generated.

“We believe that this project can make a big difference in generating clean, renewable electricity and to the Norton community. Both the financial and technical help from CO2Sense has been invaluable in helping this project to move to the next stage“
Steve Carney
ORIGIN ENERGY

Householders in the Norton area have free membership and voting rights in the Community Society. Investor members can purchase shares and will receive a dividend in return for their investment, but will only have voting rights on issues that are related to their own interests. This system will ensure that the plant remains for the benefit of the community, and that the community can have their input into how profits from the electricity generation are spent. The investment from CO2Sense has been spent on development costs of the project, mainly relating to the submission of the planning application, scheduled for autumn 2011. The completed environmental impact assessments have included habitat surveys of the local badger, bat and newt populations, alongside a year-long ornithology study. Other considerations included the impact of the turbines on the area’s cultural heritage and noise levels. CO2Sense have also committed to provide the project with ongoing technical support and attend monthly board meetings to help with the planning application and other development queries as they arise.

CO2Sense is the not-for-profit low-carbon expert company that helps organisations to cut their costs and to improve their environmental performance. We offer nononsense, clear help and capital investment to cut the cost of energy, water and waste, and to generate clean energy.

This expert advice will help Origin to ensure the wind farm is a viable project that can give real results to the community. Steve Carney from Origin Energy, said, “We believe that this project can make a big difference in generating clean, renewable electricity and to the Norton community. Both the financial and technical help from CO2Sense has been invaluable in helping this project to move to the next stage”

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