Plan for wind farm to be partly owned by residents

Dozens of offshore wind turbines partly owned by residents of a coastal district could be installed over the next decade.

Under Project Collette, as many as 100 wind turbines are planned for sites off the west Cumbrian coast near the Sellafield nuclear plant in Seascale.

The company behind the plan, Green Finance Community Hub, said local communities would have an initial stake alongside other, more traditional shareholders.

Director Ciara Shannon said: "There are real benefits to local community energy projects and one of them is that more money stays locally."

However, details such as the finance model are still being worked out and processes such as planning permission and grid connection would also have to take place.

It means it could take eight to 10 years for Project Collette to come to fruition.

Dianne Richardson, chief executive of Britain's Energy Coast Business Cluster, said the scheme could enable Cumbria to build on its nuclear energy expertise.

A feasibility study has just been completed, with engagement events and resident surveys also under way.

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