Gower Power has launched a community share offer for the 4.99MW Brynwhilach solar farm in the hopes of generating over £2.7 million in community benefit.
Located in Swansea and operational since 2017, Brynwhilach solar farm is outperforming its generation targets, generating 4.8GWh per year, according to the Community Interest Company.
Over the last five years, Gower Power has said it has received over £55,000 of surplus funds from Brynwhilach solar farm, which has been used to support local and environmental benefits.
Once under community ownership, Brynwhilach will be able to significantly increase its community offering as it is estimated to generate more than £2.7 million in community benefits over the next 23 years.
The minimum investment is £250, with the total fund raise target sitting at £385,000. The share offer will be open until 27 October 2023 but may close earlier if fully subscribed.
According to Gower Power it aims to use these funds to develop more renewable energy projects and establish nature-oriented health and wellbeing interventions.
“Brynwhilach contributes to all Well-Being Goals for Wales; supporting us to become more equal, healthy, prosperous, cohesive, resilient and globally responsible, while continuing our cultural heritage of self-sufficiency and co-operative enterprise,” said Mary Sherwood, Gower Power’s grants and development manager.
Julie James, minister for climate change for the Welsh government added: “I am so pleased that Gower Power is representing Wales in this pioneering initiative that will hugely increase community owned solar across England and Wales.
“Community ownership means money spent on energy is kept within Wales rather than leaking away to distant companies – it’s a more sustainable economic model as well as a more sustainable way of sourcing energy. This Gower Power project is making a great contribution towards Wales meeting its Well-being Goals and its targets for Net Zero.”
The Brynwhilach solar farm site is owned by a local landowner, and is situated on mixture grade 3b and 5 (moderate to very poor quality) agricultural land.
Gower Power is a part of Community Energy Together (CET), a new collaboration between five community energy groups in England and Wales, formed to share offers to fund the transfer of seven operational solar farms into community ownership.