The UK’s largest consumer-owned wind farm, Kirk Hill Wind Farm, is set to begin operations in Scotland this month. The site, located in South Ayrshire, is part owned by over 5,600 individuals and small businesses. It has the capacity to power approximately 20,000 households and businesses. Ripple Energy, the company leading the project, raised £13.2 million from members of the public and small businesses to fund the site’s construction in 2022.
In addition to providing green energy to its owners, Kirk Hill Wind Farm is expected to make a significant impact in the fight against climate change. The site’s lifespan is estimated to save 29,667 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. Sarah Merrick, chief executive and founder of Ripple Energy, stated, “We enable thousands of people to come together and collectively own large wind farms and solar farms. So instead of having to have rooftop solar on your home, you could get your power through that by the grid.”
Ms. Merrick, who spent 17 years in the renewable energy sector prior to founding Ripple Energy in 2017, emphasized the importance of investing in wind turbines as a means of reducing carbon emissions. She added, “If you own a bit of a wind turbine, you can see it, you can touch it. You know you’re having a real genuine impact on climate change – not just this year, but for the next 25 or 30 years.”
Aside from its environmental benefits, Kirk Hill Wind Farm will also provide financial benefits to its owners. Over its lifetime, nearly £3 million of funds generated through the sale of green energy from the site will be awarded to local organizations, including the Dailly Community Development Trust and the North Carrick Community Benefit Company.
One of the co-owners of Kirk Hill Wind Farm, Shirley Paterson from Glenrothes in Fife, shared her excitement about being part of the project. She stated, “For more than a decade I have been on my own personal net zero journey, firstly having solar panels installed on my home in 2011 and then my family all making the switch to electric cars between 2014-2016. Ripple Energy was a huge opportunity to negate my carbon footprint further and I couldn’t be more proud as one of the 5,600 people who brought this wind farm to life.”
Ripple Energy is currently offering individuals and businesses the chance to be part of its next wind farm project, Whitelaw Brae in the Scottish Borders. Shares of the site can be purchased starting at £25. With 14 turbines, it will be the largest consumer-owned renewable energy project in the UK and is estimated to power an average home for an entire year in just three minutes. Ms. Merrick encouraged more people to get involved in such projects, stating, “With more projects like Kirk Hill and opportunities for people to take control of their energy, we can make a real difference for the future.”
