Ripple Energy to launch UK’s largest consumer-owned wind farm Written by Maximilian Schwerdtfeger Reviewed by Roland Ellison Published on 29 May 2024 Kirk Hill is latest renewable project from Ripple Energy£13.2 million farm to generate green energy for 20,000 homesIt has the potential to save 29,667 tonnes of carbon a year Ripple Energy’s Kirk Hill Wind FarmRipple Energy is set to launch the UK’s largest consumer-owned wind farm, with the Kirk Hill project in South Ayrshire beginning in May 2024. Once operational, the eight-turbine wind farm will generate enough green energy for 20,000 homes and businesses and save 29,667 tonnes of carbon a year. It is also believed the wind farm will generate enough electricity to power a home for a year every ten minutes. The £13.2 million site has been funded entirely by 5,600 people and businesses who have bought shares in it since 2022. Launched in 2017, Ripple Energy’s stated target is to make renewable energy ownership available to everyone at an affordable price.It launches wind and solar power projects that people can buy shares in and receive cheaper, renewable energy from one of the company’s energy provider partners. Kirk Hill is the second project that Ripple Energy has launched after Graig Fatha in south Wales, which began generating energy in March 2022, becoming the first consumer-owned wind farm in the UK in the first place.. The company is set to launch its first solar power project later in 2024 with Deril Water Solar Park, and in 2026 it will start generating energy at its Whitelaw Brae Wind Farm in the Scottish Borders..Since the start of May 2024, roughly 70% of UK homes can access clean energy from one of Ripple Energy’s projects after British Gas, EDF, Ecotricity and E.ON Next joined as suppliers. Sarah Merrick, chief executive and founder of Ripple Energy, was quoted by Sky News saying that projects such as the Kirk Hill Wind farm “enable thousands of people to come together and collectively own large wind and solar farms”.“If you own a bit of a wind turbine, you can see it, you can touch it,” Merrick said.“You know you’re having a real genuine impact on climate change – not just this year, but for the next 25 or 30 years.” Written by: Maximilian Schwerdtfeger Content Manager Max joined The Eco Experts as content manager in February 2024. He has written about sustainability issues across numerous industries, including maritime, supply chain, finance, mining and retail. He has also written for City AM, The Morning Star and the Daily Express. Reviewed by: Roland Ellison Editor Roland is Editor of The Eco Experts. He is passionate about solar power, reducing plastic waste and technology that can help humanity overcome some of its greatest challenges.