Professional Documents
Culture Documents
For
Cymdeithas Cwm Arian Association
To establish the Silver Valley area of North Pembrokeshire as
an area of best practice for energy efficiency by providing a
clean, renewable energy source.
Presented by
Michael Parcell
Contact details
Michael Parcell
Llwynhelyg,
Hermon,
Glogue,
Pembs.
SA36 0DT
Accountant
Currently Cris Tomos is carrying out all accounting requirements of the renewable energy working group. CCAA will
appoint accountants when the necessity for this arises.
Bank
The working group will set up a bank account specifically for the renewable energy project. This will be with the
Charity Bank who will also help fund the project via a loan.
Business Consultant
West Wales Consulting Ltd
PO Box 99
Haverfordwest
SA61 9AR
A study carried out by Dulas Ltd (with funding from PLANED and a small
Sustainable Development Fund grant) identified a site that looked promising
for the siting of two wind turbines on the hills behind Llanfyrnach. These wind
turbines would provide income from selling the generated electricity to the
National Grid; this would generate money that can be put back into the
community for the benefit of its residents.
Committee Experience
The key members of the Community Association who are going to take
responsibility for this project are as follows:
These wind turbines would provide income from selling the generated
electricity to the National Grid. Once costs are covered the surplus would be
Market
The Renewable Obligation (RO) is the mechanism by which the Government
is intending to achieve its target of 10% Renewable Electricity (RE) supply by
2010. It is a requirement on all licensed electricity suppliers in England and
Wales to supply a proportion of their electricity from RE generation. The
obligation on each supplier will rise to 10.4% by the year ending 31st March
2010.
The RO will run until 2026 providing a guaranteed market for renewable
energy. The expected market for eligible renewables is expected to expand
three fold from the present level of 10TWh to 25TWh in 2010. Government
estimates that by 2010 the Renewables Obligation and Climate Change Levy
will be worth 1bn a year to the renewables sector.
Financial Projections
As a result of our findings we are very confident that a market exists for
provision of renewable energy for sale to the National Grid and for the
services that CCAA offer to the local community. As such, in the next five
years we are confidently forecasting income and profits of:
Funding Requirement
The success of CCAAs renewable energy initiative is dependent on an
investment of 1,210,000 to cover essential start up and ongoing
maintenance costs as detailed below:
Development Costs
Land Cost 0
Wind Testing Cost 0
Planning Cost 40,000
Plant & Equipment Cost 600,000
This investment will help ensure the successful launch and long-term
prosperity of the wind turbine project.
Sources of Funding
CCAA hopes to raise the finance as detailed below:
Total 1,210,000
Achievements To Date
The Ynni Cwm Arian Energy working group was formed to enable background
research to be carried out into utilising Renewable Energy resources and to
investigate Energy Efficiency for local households in the Silver Valley area, of
North Pembrokeshire.
Part of the work being carried out in the Heritage work identified various
historical means of using water power on farms, mills and in Glogue Quarry.
An investigation into the use of local streams for modern micro-hydro systems
was carried out. This investigation identified one existing unused water turbine
and three potential micro-hydro sites. A Preliminary Feasibility Study was
produced which included calculations of potential energy production and
example diagrams of installations.
Over January, February and March of 2006, Dulas carried out site visits to
investigate wind and water sites, met with the Energy Group and carried desk-
based work using specialised computer packages. The finalised
Renewable Energy Feasibility Study Report was presented to the Silver Valley
association in late March and public meetings were held to broadcast the
findings. In addition, a questionnaire was delivered by hand to all the
households within the area to invite comment upon various aspects of Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
The study identified a site that looked promising for the siting of two wind
turbines on the hills behind Llanfyrnach. These wind turbines would provide
income from selling the generated electricity to the National Grid; this would
generate money that can be put back into the community for the benefit of its
residents. The micro-hydro and biomass options appeared less viable and
have been put on hold for the time being.
Projected Activity
The group is now considering the next phase of undertaking a detailed study
of the identified wind-power site to take measurements over a period of 3-6
months. CCAA are investigating the possibility of using readings from another
nearby site to satisfy this for planning application and financial forecasting
purposes and it is assumed that this is possible within this plan. If this is not
acceptable it is estimated that the study will cost circa 3,000 to complete and
the committee are currently identifying possible funding options in order to
proceed with this.
At the same time CCAA will be identifying possibilities for funding the full
project on the assumption that full planning permissions are gained and that
the wind tests confirm the projections made within the Dulas report.
On completion the two 1.2 million Megawatt turbines, it is estimated that from
selling electricity generated to the National Grid, Cwm Arian will bring in an
income of 300,000 pa. Once costs are covered the surplus would be used
for local community development.
The community Association will take legal, accountancy and business advice
(including from the Wales Co-Operative Network) as to the best trading format
for the new business. It is intended that the business will operate as a social
enterprise.
The price per kWh quoted in the financial plan is inclusive of all Renewable
Obligation Ceritificates (ROCs) and Climate Change Levy Exemption
Certificates (LECs).
This illustrates that other than general promotion of energy efficiency the Wind
Turbine is the only suitable technology available for a large scale development
in this area. For the full analysis of all the options available please see the
ReSolutions Report.
Wind Turbine
The wind turbines will be formatted as two 1200 kW turbines to give a total of
2400 kW. This will produce an estimated Annual output of 5,256,000 kWh
based on the plant working at 25% of capacity.
These wind turbines would provide income from selling the generated
electricity to the National Grid; this would generate money that can be put
back into the community for the benefit of its residents. Once costs are
covered the surplus would be used for local community development and in
the education of the local population in further energy saving techniques.
This will be achieved via community initiatives and education that will focus on
the following areas:
The Environment
Local Heritage
Recycling
Promotion of Tourism
Promotion Business / Local Employment
Development of Community Facilities/Resources
Transport Traffic and Rights of Way.
We have plans to utilise the revenues from the sale of wind energy assits with
household revenue to be spent as follows
40% of revenue - capital cost grants to households for the installation of
insulation/ draught-proofing, solar hot water systems, biomass heating
systems and energy efficiency measures.
20% of revenue - refurbishment of community buildings followed by support
for local affordable housing.
10% - information leaflets/ house to house training about carbon footprinting.
10% - initiatives that support a reduction in travel through the establishment of
car-share schemes and timetabled bus services.
10% - support for local initiatives that assist with community carbon reduction
(such as community composting initiatives, mobile shop/service provision)
10% - administrative fees Cwm Arian
4.6 Premises
The map below shows the area in which the turbines are to be situated and
the local area to be served:
An idea of the sizes of such plant can be gained from the illustration
below, as well as an indication of the level of electricity output.
4.7 Distribution
The energy produced by the wind turbines will be sold to the National Grid. It
is however the revenue from this sale that will offer the real benefit to the local
community. A more detailed analysis of the local population can be viewed in
section 5.1.
4.8 Legislation
CCAA will have to comply with Planning Permission rules and regulations
including an Environmental Survey.
Once the legal business type has been established the business will have to
run within the appropriate legal framework.
If details of committee members, member or donators are kept then the CCAA
must comply with the Data Protection Act 1998, which covers confidentiality
issues surrounding the retention of personal information.
When CCAA provide employment they must comply with health and safety
and employment law legislation. Key regulations include the:
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Health and Safety
(Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2002, which set out general
obligations towards staff, clients and members of the public in terms of
health and safety.
Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997 and the Regulatory
Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Other employment considerations include National Minimum Wage
legislation, arranging employer's liability insurance and ensuring equality of
treatment in recruitment.
4.9 Insurances
It is estimated that insurance costs at the development stage will be circa
6,000 and that ongoing annual insurances during the life of the operational
period will be in the region of 6,000. The insurer chosen will specialise in
this type of installation.
A budget of 15,000 per annum has been set aside for employment. This will
be 7,500 for the monitor/maintenance engineer and 7,500 for the
community liaison officer.
As well as direct employment CCAA will also generate significant indirect work
such as installation of energy saving devices etc.
The aim is to allow individuals fair and equal opportunities to develop abilities
and realise potential. Also, to actively promote tolerance and understanding
amongst staff based on an awareness of inherent attitudes, customs and
beliefs of others.
Market Background
Renewable energy sources have been known for many years, but it is only
during the past 20 years that modern technology and investment has been
applied to produce viable alternatives to fossil fuel that can produce energy on
a useful scale.
Carbon emissions from fossil fuels are causing global warming and there is
pressure to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide produced in energy
production.
The UK is soon to become a net importer of gas and later of oil, as North
Sea reserves are depleted. By 2020, the country could be dependent on
imported energy for 75% of its primary energy needs.
Rising gas prices.
The RO will run until 2026 providing a guaranteed market for renewable
energy. The expected market for eligible renewables is expected to expand
three fold from the present level of 10TWh to 25TWh in 2010. Government
estimates that by 2010 the Renewables Obligation and Climate Change Levy
will be worth 1bn a year to the renewables sector.
Industry Growth
In 2005, the UK became one of only eight countries in the world to break the 1
gigawatt installed capacity barrier and the following graphs show that this
period of growth is set to continue.
Settlement Population
The lifespan of the CCAA project is 20 years and although the market place
may have changed dramatically within this time (for instance the proposed
wave power development in the Milford Haven estuary) it is still expected that
there will be demand for as much energy that can be produced throughout the
life of the project and certainly for the number of years until CCAA achieve
breakeven.
SOCIOLOGICAL TECHNOLOGICAL
Pembrokeshire made up of 97% micro SMEs, Internet allows quick, interactive and low cost
very few large businesses. communication.
Pembrokeshire is primarily a service WWW and web site presence can aid
economy. business profile and generate business
Population in rural and coastal areas is Renewable energy sources such as wind
increasing, which means higher service sector power are capable of producing useful energy
requirement. at local level. This feature could lead to a
redistribution of energy with less reliance on a
Society is recognising the dangers of transmission network and more locally
continued global warming and many are generated power.
committed to reducing carbon emissions and
supportive of Eco policies. Wind Power is currently the cheapest form of
renewable energy that can be produced on a
Due to the visual nature of Wind Farms there large scale.
will be the inevitable Not In My Back Yard
(NIMBYs) response from areas within the
local community.
Use of materials with high insulation/energy Subsidised consultancy fees for SMEs
saving characteristics through central funding schemes.
Environmental grants for commercial Grant funding available from various public
businesses bodies.
Carbon emissions from fossil fuels are Integration of the Euro into the UK over the
causing global warming and there is pressure next 5-10 years.
to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide
produced in energy production. Salary/earnings levels in rural areas are below
the Welsh average.
6.2 Positioning
CCAA will position themselves as a provider of a renewable energy source for
sale to the National Grid.
6.3 Branding
The branding for CCAA as displayed on the Associations web site is
illustrated below:
After the scheme has been implemented and revenue is being received it is
important that all events and initiatives are well publicised so that the largest
proportion of the local community can be reached.
In order to market these messages to the local community the following media
will be utilised:
It is important to note that further wind tests are to be conducted which will
offer further evidence to projected turnover.
Development Costs
Land Cost 0
Wind Testing Cost 0
Planning Cost 40,000
This investment will help ensure the successful launch and long-term
prosperity of the wind turbine project.
Total 1,210,000
SWOT Analysis
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats
Strengths
Dedicated voluntary committee with wide ranging skills
Support of the land owner
CCAA is an existing Association so the infrastructure is already in place to
market this new project to the local community.
Strong Community Spirit
Attractive Rural Setting of the three villages
Weaknesses
Lack of experience amongst committee members in relation to setting up or
running large scale energy projects.
Reliance on external funding
Reliance on planning permission
Reliance upon voluntary help in order to establish the project
Outside the TAN8 areas.
Opportunities
Ongoing Government support of schemes producing renewable energy
Future Energy Initiatives
Grant Funding Support
Threats
Wind Tests show that under 25% utilisation is possible
Unable to obtain planning permissions
Unable to secure external funding
Resistance from the local community to the construction of wind turbines