Public share offer set to launch at solar farm

A community energy group is set to launch a second public share offer to invest in a solar farm in Shropshire.

Shropshire and Telford Community Energy (STCE) is offering people the chance to invest in clean, green power through a share scheme for Twemlows solar farm.

Profits from the farm near Whitchurch have already helped fund village halls, cinemas and more — and this next phase could see £3m generated for good causes across the county.

The offer launches on Friday 6 June.

STCE took ownership of the 10MW solar farm in December 2023. It said the share offer would enable the public "who care about climate change" to invest their money to tackle the issue directly.

It said the offer will also allow STCE to pay off some of its loans, adding it will: "strengthen its ownership of the solar farm".

Treasurer of STCE, Dave Green, told BBC Radio Shropshire the launch would significantly increase the amount of money the site would generate for community projects.

He said: "Our target is to raise around £500,000. Securing our community ownership will enable us to distribute around £3m in community benefit over the next 16 years, including setting up new community energy schemes.

"The Twemlows share offer is not just supporting a cleaner, greener and fairer future, it will directly benefit local community projects for many years to come."

The public share offer is being launched at an event at the Festival Drayton Centre, Market Drayton, on Friday between 10:00 BST and 13:00 BST.

Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.