Two Bristol companies have agreed a deal to power nearly 3,000 homes from two windfarms.
Sustainable energy firm Thrive Renewables and gas and electricity supplier Bristol Energy are hoping to drive renewable energy growth in the city and support Bristol’s ambitious carbon-neutral target.
The new power purchase agreement (PPA) for the electricity generated by Thrive’s 2.75MW wind turbine at Ness Point, England’s most easterly point, will provide enough energy for 2,225 properties.
Meanwhile, the agreement for the 0.8MW Auchtygills turbine in Aberdeenshire will power an additional 700 homes.
“Bristol declared a climate emergency and rolled out ambitious plans to become carbon-neutral,” said Matthew Clayton, managing director at Thrive.
“This means that collaborations across the city are now vital to deliver these goals and reduce harmful emissions. This deal is a positive step on Bristol’s journey.”
In 1998, Bristol City Council and Thrive separately became renewable energy trailblazers. The council became one of the first local authorities to buy renewable electricity and Thrive invested in its first wind farm – Haverigg.
Twenty years on, Thrive has a portfolio of 17 renewable energy projects while Bristol is aiming to become carbon-neutral by 2030.
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The council recently announced it had cut its own carbon emissions by 71 per cent – two years ahead of schedule – as well as launching its City Leap project to help reduce carbon emissions.
Simon Proctor, renewables and origination manager at Bristol Energy, said: “This deal is an important part of our purpose to create a sustainable energy company, which has social value at its heart.
“We believe one of the most socially responsible things we can do is to get to supplying 100 per cent renewable energy and this deal will help us in our journey. And importantly – the value from the deal is retained locally.”
The deal was completed on e-POWER, an online auction, which enables independent renewable energy generators to sell clean electricity to utilities.
Bristol Energy supplies more than 165,000 homes and 4,500 businesses and is growing its portfolio of renewable energy with 54 contracts with independent, renewable generators.
In 2018-19, renewables accounted for 75 per cent of its supply - up from 51 per cent in 2017-18.