The Potential for Community Ownership of Wind Farms in Ireland

Name of Contractors: CSA Group and Western Development Commission
Grant Award: €53,000
Category: Public Good
Completion Date: June 2004

Introduction

This study was performed by the Renewable Energy Partnership which consists of Brí Nua Community Wind Energy Group, Mayo Community Wind Energy Group and the Western Development Commission. The goal of the project was to investigate the potential for communities to benefit from the establishment of wind farms in their region.

Outputs

The study concludes that communities are likely to encounter significant resource difficulties if they attempt to develop 100% community owned wind energy projects, given the current technical and commercial issues facing developers. Therefore, the levels of risk and uncertainty are considered too high for a community group to enter a development on their own.

The most promising investment option that communities could currently consider is that of participating in commercial projects once such projects have secured:

planning consent
a grid connection agreement
a contract for the sale of electricity.

The project has produced a step-by-step guide to assist community groups throughout Ireland to create their own investment vehicles for wind farm projects. The guide explains the challenges facing developers and provides example investment models applicable to community groups. Comparisons with situations in other EU countries are also made.

Report

Chapters

File 1: The Guide - "To Catch the Wind"
File 2: The Financial Model for a Sample Wind Farm
File 3: Danish Community Wind Farms
File 4: Britist Community Wind Farms
File 5: German Community Wind Farms
File 6: Spanish Community Wind Farms
File 7: Irish Community Wind Farms
File 8: Technical Glossary
File 9: Factors Affecting Community Involvement in Wind Farms
File 10: Mechanisms for Community Entry into Wind Farming
File 11: Progressing Community Investment in Wind Farm Projects in Ireland
File 12: Investment Club or Fund
File 13: Types of Legal Structues
File 14: Financing for Community Entry
File 15: Investment Incentives and Exemptions
File 16: Definition of Risk and Opportunity in the Wind Farm Development Process
File 17: Terminology for Calculating Return on Investment
File 18: Operational Plan for Community-Owned Wind Farm
File 19: Wind Farm Project Cycle with Stages for Community Involvement Identified
File 20: Diagrammatical Description of Operational Plan for Development of a Community-Owned Wind Farm
File 21: Operational Schedule for Development of a Community-Owned Wind Farm
File 22: Guide to the Planning Process
File 23: Process from EIA to EIS
File 24: Model Documentaiton Required by those Providing the Loan
File 25: Understanding the Contracts Matrix
File 26: Relevant Websites
File 27: Diagrammatical Representation of the Contracts Matrix

Wind Farm Financial Modelling Spreadsheet

For further information contact:

Fiona Candon
Western Development Commission
Dillon House
Ballaghaderreen
Co. Roscommon

Tel: 094 98 61441
e-mail: fionacandon@wdc.ie