Steve Amphlett A Revolution in Energy Production
The Team “just the two of us – but with lots of support”
“a recycling of our industrial heritage” Micro Hydro-Electric Scheme 18 th Century Bridge End Mill Redundant Mill Race River Ribble 2000yr old Archimedean Screw Technology
OUR OBJECTIVES Generate & Sell Sustainable ‘Green’ Electricity to Generate Sustainable Funding for Community Projects & Generate Publicity for our Town which will contribute towards the REGENERATION OF OUR LOCAL ECONOMY
LEGAL STRUCTURE INDUSTRIAL & PROVIDENT SOCIETY for the benefit of the community Limited Liability Can raise equity by issuing shares (to members only) Can pay interest on shares Co-operative principles are enshrined in the rules Less onerous administration than Limited Company Democratic – One-Member-One-Vote irrespective of value of shareholding
COST £415,000 (28% more than initially estimated!!) Screw£75,000 Construction£200,000 Sluice Gate + Commissioning£15,000 Control System£10,000 Meters + Grid Connection£40,000 Feasibility + Project Management£50,000 Other£25,000
SOURCE OF FUNDS Grants£ 135,000 Shares£ 135,000 Loans£ 145,000 ======== £ 415,000
GRANTS Key Fund Yorkshire£10,000 Yorkshire Forward£75,000 CO2Sense Yorkshire£50,000
SHARES Share Offer Launched: 6 th Sept 2008 Share Offer Closed: 15 th Dec 2008 Funds Raised: £135,000 Number of Members: % £250 45%> £250 to £ %> £1000 to £20,000
LOANS Charity Bank£125,000 Key Fund Yorkshire£20,000
28 Months “and that’s just to get it turning!!” Initial IdeaAug mths Information DayMar mths Share Offer Sep mths Planning Permission Feb mths Abstraction Licence Mar mths Works StartedJun mths Screw DeliveredOct mths Started GeneratingDec mths
SET BACKS (we had a few!)
PUBLICITY (we had a lot!)
What Worked Well? SMALL TEAM ‘ CAN DO – WILL DO’ Attitude Relish the Challenge Constant Communication Quick Decision Making Business Backgrounds Complimentary Skills Mutually Supportive ‘NEVER SAY DIE!”.....and we are still great friends!!!
OUR CUSTOMERS Bridge End Mill 12p per unit Scottish Power (via Co-operative Group Energy Services) 5p per unit Feed-In-Tariff 18.7p per unit Average Return 24.75p per unit
ANNUAL INCOME 180,000 units = £44, ,000 units = £37, ,000 units = £29, Actual units = £17,380
ANNUAL SURPLUS Depends on your overheads! Loan Interest & Repayments Return to Shareholders Lease Rates Insurance Professional Fees Computer & Telecoms Maintenance etc
CHALLENGES Lack of Rain! Cash Flow Management Improving Efficiency Environment Agency Fish Legal Breakdowns Administration FITs Payments Time & Money!!
AWARDS 2011 Climate Week Awards "Best Community Initiative” 2010 Yorkshire Post Awards "Community Environment" Award 2010 Rural Yorkshire Awards "Green Business" Category 2010 Yorkshire & Humber Market Town Awards "Partnership & Strategic Working" Category 2010 British Renewable Energy Awards "Community" Category 2010 Yorkshire Forward Awards “Creating Better Futures” Category 2010 Yorkshire & Humber Market Town Awards Regional Winners
A Revolution in Energy Production