This was a feasibility study to see whether it is practical and cost effective to sell electricity to local businesses, taking advantage of the clean energy sources within community ownership.
The study found which model of sales is most suitable in different situations, including a private wire, a local energy club.
The groups within Cyd Ynni already own a number of electric production sources, mostly hydro turbines. In addition, they already sell electricity to some homes in the area within a ‘local energy club’ model. Cyd Ynni does not sell to businesses at the moment, but is keen to change this.
There were 3 elements to the study, namely:
- Private wire – need to identify equipment needs and costs for installing a ‘private wire’ between Afon Goch hydro, (Padarn Peris Energy) (supplier) and YHA (business customer) as well as installing appropriate meters.
- Bethesda Local Energy Club for Businesses – check whether it is possible and if feasible to create a Local Energy Club to sell electricity to nearby businesses in particular. This can follow the model used for the domestic Local Energy Club. Issues relating to costs, metering, regulatory / licensing requirements, and contracts will require specific attention. Following this, would like advice on the pricing structure for the energy club.
- Local Network – research into the options available for a Hydro scheme on Afon Galedffrwd, (Coed Tir Mynydd / Ynni Ocar) which is currently going through the planning system. A number of businesses are located opposite the turbine site which is interested in being supplied by the hydro.
A copy of the final report is available here.
