Bonsall Energy Group is aiming to develop locally owned renewable energy projects that benefit both Bonsall residents and the wider environment. The recently completed feasibility study outlines the different options explored including solar panel installations on community buildings and farms as well as the potential of a wind turbine in the future.
What we explored in the feasibility study
BEG explored a range of solar installations options including rooftops and land sites in and around the village. Community buildings, such as the village hall, the local school and church, and farm buildings have the most potential to energy generation potential. There were challenges with possible some land sites we identified being a long way from the grid (and so difficult to connect) and some having historical significance.
Bonsall has strong wind potential, yet planning restrictions and grid limitations are chllenges. One wind turbine site, at Blakelow Quarry, was rejected due to location (within the Peak District National Park) and another, at Ball Eye Quarry, because the local grid infrastructure needs upgrading first. BEG explored the option of selling electricity directly to the quarry via a private wire. The quarry owners supported the idea to power their fleet of electric vehicles and the money generated from the sale of electricity would be fed back into the village to support community initiatives. However, excess energy would still need to be sold back to National Grid, so the project is on hold until upgrades are done.
A third site, at Manor Farm, remains viable and has cautious support from local authority planners at Derbyshishire Dales District Council.
The last piece of the puzzle investigated by BEG was local energy trading. This means energy producers, like a farm with solar panels or a community-owned turbine, can trade the energy they generate with people in the village, meaning everyone gets a better deal. Local energy trading, through an organisation called Energy Local, was found to be feasible. With the community and farm buildings generating energy via solar panels on their roofs, a scheme could be set up to benefit a few people in the village (as well as the farms and community buildings themselves). With the addition of a wind turbine, many more Bonsall residents could benefit through cheaper bills and a village community fund.
The next stage of the group’s work is to establish the Bonsall Community Power cooperative, enabling local electricity trading among residents and encouraging broader participation from those with solar-ready rooftops.
Chris Broome, Chair of BEG says, ““By successfully completing the feasibility study, we now have a roadmap setting out a phased programme for implementing a number of potential solar and wind energy projects. The study has also helped raise awareness of renewable energy within our community and look forward to continuing to engage with the community in the next phase.”
How to get involved
For more detail about our work read the full report (there is also a zipped folder available here that includes supporting documents). If you want to get involved in this project or if you want to get in touch about other community energy projects, please email us at bonsall-energy-group@googlegroups.com.
Bonsall Energy Group 