Thrive exists to tackle the climate emergency, working with investors, developers, businesses and communities to fund, build and operate clean energy projects. Since building some of the UK’s first wind turbines in the 1990s, we’ve built and/or funded over 40 clean energy projects – including solar, storage, onshore wind, hydro and geothermal. So far, we’ve generated over 2 million MWh of clean electricity and avoided the emission of over 1 million tonnes of CO2e. Now we are pressing on with plans to double our generation capacity by 2028.
Thrive brings together flexible funding models, proven technologies, and problem-solving people to accelerate the rollout of renewables. We plug funding gaps and provide collaborative capital through joint ventures or funding bridges with developers, businesses and communities.
We are committed to putting local people at the heart of the energy transition by helping communities to own clean energy projects in their area. So far, we’ve invested £21 million in community energy and recently formed a £40 million joint venture with Better Society Capital, to help more communities own local projects or take a stake in larger projects in their area. To complement our work with community groups we are eager to work with local authorities to ensure more individuals are empowered at a local level in the energy transition.
We will work flexibly with a range of local authorities who are looking to support clean energy – such as helping local people to take a stake in clean energy projects or supporting businesses to decarbonise through on-site wind and solar. We tailor our decades of experience and funding approach to suit the individual or group we are working with.
Since creating our award-winning funding bridge in 2017, we have helped a number of communities take control of their energy supply – including helping a local community group in Bristol bring a landmark wind project to fruition.
Helping a Bristol community build England’s largest onshore wind turbine
In 2022, Thrive provided a £4 million commercial loan facility to Ambition Community Energy (ACE) for England’s largest onshore wind turbine to be built close to Lawrence Weston, Bristol. The turbine is 100% community-owned. The idea for a community-owned wind turbine was first raised in 2016 by a local resident and director of ACE (a community interest company wholly owned by local charity Ambition Lawrence Weston).
After six years of tireless planning work by the community group, Thrive’s innovative funding helped push the project into construction. In operation since 2023, the 150 metre high turbine generates enough clean electricity to power the equivalent of Lawrence Weston’s domestic use and is estimated to save over 120,000 tonnes in carbon emissions over its lifetime. Providing a new revenue stream for the local community in Lawrence Weston, profits from electricity sales, after repayment of the loans and operating costs, will be reinvested back into the community, acting as a driver for regeneration. ACE plan to build an Energy Learning Zone to inspire young people and provide training to upskill residents for zero-carbon careers.
The project received other loans from Bristol Community Energy Fund, Bristol and Bath Regional Capital and a number of private individuals. It received grant funding from the Port Community Resilience Fund, Power to Change, and the West of England Enterprise Partnership through the European Regional Development Fund administered by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.
The cost of our support to local authorities will vary depending on the size and requirements of the project. We offer a variety of flexible funding models, including joint ventures and mezzanine loans, tailored on a project-by-project basis. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us to discuss how we could work together.
Local authorities can contact Monika Paplaczyk (info@thriverenewables.co.uk) who is the Chief Investment Officer.
