What are the benefits of community-owned wind power?

Community-owned wind power is a wind turbine or wind farm that’s locally owned by individuals or groups in a community.

These groups use wind energy to support and reduce energy costs in the local community. Members take a direct and often significant financial stake in the project, which means they get the benefits of the electricity produced by the wind turbines.

Community energy has huge potential to reduce the UK’s carbon footprint. With rising energy bills, it also has the potential to reduce energy costs for those who have a stake in the project. This is because the savings from generating your own electricity are passed on to local communities.

Community energy projects can also:

• Boost the local economy by creating jobs and attracting investment.
• Inspire communities to tackle other local issues, such as improving transport connections.
• Fund more local projects that benefit the community using the income from the electricity generated.

One company made headlines after opening the UK’s first consumer-owned wind farm was Ripple Energy. Based on a new model that allowed energy consumers to own a wind turbine, in which anyone in Great Britain can own a share, the company’s Graig Fatha wind farm in Wales launched in 2020. Although Ripple Energy went into administration in early 2025, the Graig Fatha co-operative is still active.

The project is owned by over 900 members and was supported by a grant of over £1 million from the Welsh Government. The wind farm has been supplying its owners with renewable electricity since March 2022.

If you’ve been inspired to get involved in a community energy project, we can help. We have advice on setting up groups, feasibility studies, financing projects and more. Check out our advice page to get started.

You can find more information about community energy projects in different nations around the UK from these organisations:

• In England, check out Community Energy England for a wealth of resources on setting up a community energy project.
• In Wales, the Welsh Government Energy Service can help with funding and advice, while Community Energy Wales also has useful resources.
• Scotland’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme supports communities with renewable energy projects.
• In Northern Ireland, have a look at Community Energy NI.

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