Great Western Air Ambulance Charity Solar

The project is a community-owned renewable energy installation planned for the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC)’s airbase in Almondsbury, South Gloucestershire. 

The installation will consist of a ground-mounted solar installation expected to generate 5,616 MWh per year – enough to power over 1,500 homes. The project is being carefully designed to balance functionality with environmental sensitivity and visual screening, in keeping with the surrounding landscape, and will aim to significantly improve biodiversity at the site. As well as generating clean energy, the project will aim to generate clear benefits for the local community. 

It is being developed by Bristol Energy Cooperative, a local and well-established community energy group which provides community benefits to Bristol and the surrounding area, in partnership with GWAAC. 

The project will be 100% community-owned and protected by an asset lock. Revenues will provide a modest return to member shareholders, many of whom live locally, and will provide community benefit funding which will be distributed in the form of grants and practical support in the local area. In this case, part of the revenues of the project will be channelled to support GWAAC’s life-saving emergency medical services in the region. 

Most of the power from the project will be exported to the grid. The possibility of a local supply club, whereby people living close to the project could buy the power generated and benefit from lower bills, will also be considered, subject to local interest and a more conducive regulatory environment.