Wadebridge Renewable Energy Network (WREN) based in Wadebridge, Cornwall, is a grass roots social enterprise aiming to transform the area into the first solar powerered and renewable energy powered town in the UK.[1][2] The group plans to install 1 MW peak capacity of solar panels; with ten installations already in place and another ninety planned[3] they hope to generate at least a third of its electricity from solar and wind power by 2015.[4]

The WREN Steering Group consists of residents, councillors from Cornwall Council and Wadebridge Town Council, together with representatives of the Wadebridge Chamber of Commerce.[5]

The scheme could also generate £450,000 a year for the town with money coming from a Feed-in tariff which offers a premium price for renewable energy.[6] The county council has granted planning permission for four new solar farms and sent plans for a further five out for consultation.[7] In February 2012 the WREN project was awarded £68,000 as part of the coalition Government's Local Energy Assessment Fund[8] and in May 2012 won an award for Best Third Sector Business in the 2012 Cornwall Business Awards.[9]

In 2013 Stephen Frankel (chairman of WREN) was named South West Sustainable Energy Champion at an award ceremony in Bath.[10]

References

  1. ↑ "Cornish town aims to be UK's first to adopt solar power - struggle becomes YouTube series - Environment". The Independent. 27 May 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
  2. ↑ Tim Willmott (5 May 2011). "Wadebridge Renewable Energy Network". The Web of Hope. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
  3. ↑ "WREN Brings Renewable Solar Energy To Wadebridge". Cornwall Times. 23 May 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
  4. ↑ "Wadebridge moves closer to becoming UK's first solar town". Solar Power Portal. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
  5. ↑ This is Cornwall (15 September 2010). "AMBITIOUS plans to make Wadebridge a carbon neutral town have been revealed". This is Cornwall. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
  6. ↑ "BBC News - Wadebridge aims for 30% renewable power". Bbc.co.uk. 18 January 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
  7. ↑ Lean, Geoffrey (21 January 2011). "Wadebridge: Britain's first solar-powered town?". Telegraph. Archived from the original on 25 January 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
  8. ↑ "Wadebridge Renewable Energy Network awarded £68K by Government | Wadebridge People". wadebridgepeople.co.uk. 2012. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  9. ↑ "Wadebridge Renewable Energy Network wins award at 2012 Cornwall Business Awards | Wadebridge People". wadebridgepeople.co.uk. 2012. Retrieved 25 May 2012. WREN wins award for Best Third Sector Business in the 2012 Cornwall Business Awards
  10. ↑ Morse Oscar (4 December 2013). "Cornish Guardian". p. 7. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
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