Bristol Energy has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Thrive Renewables for 3.55MW of electricity from two onshore wind turbines.
The two PPAs are for electricity generated by Thrive’s 2.75MW wind turbine at Ness Point, in Suffolk (and England’s most easterly point) and its 0.8MW turbine at Auchtygalls in Aberdeenshire.
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 over 165,000 residential meter points and 4,500 business meter points and is growing its portfolio of renewable energy with 54 contracts with independent renewable generators. In 2018/19, renewables accounted for 75% of its supply, up from 51% in 2017/18.
That currently includes Thrive’s 0.8MW Clayfords single-turbine wind site near Strichen in Aberdeenshire, Scotlan, for which a 12-month contract was signed from September 2018.
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% renewable energy and this deal will help us in our journey. And importantly – the value from the deal is retained locally.”
Matthew Clayton, managing director at Thrive, said: “Bristol declared a climate emergency and rolled out ambitious plans to become carbon-neutral. This means that collaborations across the city are now vital to deliver these goals and reduce harmful emissions.”
Thrive has a portfolio of 17 renewable energy projects. Bristol has set itself the target of becoming carbon-neutral by 2030, with the council recently announcing it had cut its own carbon emissions by 71%. The council has also launched its City Leap project to reduce carbon emissions.
Further reading
Thrive signs supply deal with neighbour Bristol Energy
Bristol City Council gives go-ahead to low-carbon city plan
Bristol Energy joins Energy Systems Catapult to offer ‘heat as a service’
Stepping up: Triodos to make a bigger splash
Council-backed energy company opens in Bristol
The New Power Interview: Peter Haigh, managing director, Bristol Energy
Interview: E-Power’s Stuart Stephens. Could the NFPA – the first auction platform – meet a new need?
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