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The Footprint Trust, supported by Ridge Clean Energy, is rolling out a new volunteer program helping residents save money on...
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Ridge Clean Energy (RCE) has launched a pilot programme aimed at supporting a Cambridgeshire community manage rising fuel costs ahead...
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The village of Ruddington became a hub of energy efficiency awareness through a partnership between Groundwork and Ridge Clean Energy....
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Ridge Clean Energy was honoured to sponsor the event as part of our mission to support communities in their transition...
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Ridge Clean Energy (RCE) is once again delighted to support local community efforts and provide funding to enable Wilbrahams’ Memorial...
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Our CEO has written for Finito Magazine to welcome Labour’s dedication to decarbonising society and discussing the steps Sir Keir...
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Pupils from Kilchuimen Primary School, Fort Augustus, recently took part in an educational day hosted by our sister company Ridge...
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Writing for Business Green, Ridge Clean Energy CEO Marjorie Neasham Glasgow, voiced her concern that the UK may be missing...
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The village Great Wilbraham, located just 8 miles south of Cambridge, has been celebrating the success of the ‘Welcome Mornings’...
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Betsy Glasgow-Vasey, the Managing Director of our sister company Ridge Carbon Capture, recently penned an article for the Yorkshire Post,...
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Our CEO, Marjorie Neasham Glasgow, has authored a compelling piece for the London Evening Standard, outlining how renewable energy parks...
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Three Oaks REP will combine solar generation with battery storage, making a meaningful contribution to the area’s energy needs by...
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In a heartening ceremony held on Friday at Charlbury Primary School, five enthusiastic pupils were recognised for their commitment to...
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The winners of the second Rudd Awards were announced at a special ceremony this month, with 19 Ruddington favourites celebrated...
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Co-location helps maximise efficient use of viable land while improving energy density per acre and economic benefit to local communities....
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Inveraray Pier on Loch Fyne, a beloved Argyllshire landmark, reopens to the delight of the local community. After ten years of...
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While many people see the value and importance of transitioning to renewable energy at pace, they understandably also want to...
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Ridge Clean Energy secures planning permission for 49.9MW Renewable Energy Park in East Cambridgeshire.
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Ridge Clean Energy (RCE), a UK-based renewable energy company, launched an innovative awards scheme – The Climate Care Awards –...
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Consistent and supportive government policy can keep low-carbon energy investment in the UK. Some 63 per cent of UK energy companies...
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Ridge Clean Energy (RCE) has filed a planning application with the Energy Consents Unit of the Scottish Government for Ladyfield...
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On 2nd October 2023 Rushcliffe Borough Council planners gave the go-ahead for Ridge Clean Energy (RCE) to construct Fair Oaks...
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RCE and Inspire Inveraray have together raised over £244k enabling the community to purchase the pier and begin essential restoration...
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Ridge Clean Energy Ltd (RCE) was proud to join over 100 of the UK’s largest businesses in a letter to...
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“Throughout 2022 and spring 2023, Ridge Clean Energy (RCE) proudly supported the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative by sponsoring tree planting...
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The Fair Oaks Renewable Energy Park could help the local community adapt to big challenges currently facing communities in the...
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Our local contributions and up-front seed capital go over and above the Community Benefit Fund. We are working with islanders...
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The proposed 39MW park, situated in the East Riding of Yorkshire, would pair solar with battery storage. The combination of...
Ground-breaking Renewable Energy Park Proposed for East Cambridgeshire
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Home » Published: November 25, 2022 This Article was Written by: Daniela Jenkins - Ridge Clean Energy |
Ridge Clean Energy (RCE) has submitted a planning application for the Six Oaks Renewable Energy Park, an innovative hybrid renewable energy project that comes with ‘over and above’ benefits for the local communities.
The proposed 49.9 MW solar farm with battery storage is situated about 1.4km southeast of Bottisham in East Cambridgeshire. The combination of technologies will achieve efficient and reliable domestic energy generation.
The project would provide substantial local wildlife enhancements by including species-rich seed mix in between the rows of solar panels to encourage wildlife including bees and birds. Through an array of ecological enhancements, the site will deliver a substantial net gain of 66% to local biodiversity. Existing hedgerows are to be enhanced with extra planted where necessary to provide additional screening and to benefit wildlife.
“We develop each project with the scope to do so much more than generate power”, said Marjorie Glasgow BEM, co-founder and CEO of RCE, “We believe that combining clean energy with the needs of communities is the most powerful way to tackle climate change and its impacts,” she said.
“The Six Oaks Renewable Energy Park could help East Cambridgeshire adapt to the biggest challenges currently facing communities in the UK – climate change, energy security, and the rising cost of living,” said Mrs Glasgow. “The Ridge team have a proven track record in developing high-quality UK renewable energy projects whilst working alongside local communities to create enduring and sustainable local benefits.”
“As a company we aim to develop a close partnership with local communities from the very start of a project”, said Daniela Jenkins BEM, Community Partnership Lead. “We have met with parish councillors, community groups and charities with the aim to encourage and support local communities on their path to net zero and we are working with a local group to improve biodiversity on the proposed site. We are looking forward to supporting community projects and ideas, which could be EV charging, improving play parks or local cycle networks.”
The associated Six Oaks Community Benefit Fund is projected to provide £25,000 per year for the lifespan of the project (up to 40 years), alongside a development team bringing talent and experience for delivering projects with enduring community benefits.
In addition to the Community Benefit Fund, RCE will also provide up-front seed capital and development assistance for community projects, so people don’t have to wait until the completion of the build to start receiving benefits.
The site for Six Oaks was sensitively and strategically identified based on its position sandwiched between two major trunk roads, which limits visibility in the wider area. There is existing access to the site from the public highway and no high-yield land is being removed from food production.
In March 2022, RCE held public exhibitions in Great Wilbraham and Bottisham to engage with local communities. Approximately 80 residents attended the exhibitions giving a largely positive and encouraging response to the proposed project. Many also offered up ideas as to how the Six Oaks Community Benefit Fund can further assist the community. RCE’s Community Partnership Team are looking at how to turn some of these ideas into reality.
Six Oaks Renewable Energy Park – Technical summary and benefits
- The electricity generated by the proposed Six Oaks project is equivalent to that used by 10,700 East Cambridgeshire homes and could provide a direct connect for local industry and businesses.
- Six Oaks should have an operational life of 40-years.
- Six Oaks would benefit local biodiversity through wildflower meadow and species rich grassland between the panels, chosen specifically to compliment the local ecology by providing a plentiful supply of food and shelter.
- Six Oaks would also deliver a suite of additional enhancement measures, including the provision of bird and bat boxes to enhance roosting/nesting opportunities.
- The scheme has also been designed to avoid impacting existing trees around the site. At the end of its operational period, the site would be fully decommissioned and returned to its original land-use, with the added benefit of increased organic soil carbon content.
About Ridge Clean Energy
- Ridge Clean Energy (RCE) is an Oxfordshire-based clean energy company, and its team has an established and successful history of working with landowners and local communities to research, develop, finance, construct and operate renewable projects across the UK.
- RCE supports businesses and communities across the UK in their mission to become net zero by 2050, combining renewable energy projects with a community hub and integrated app.
- The RCE team is unique in their ability to work with local groups to determine how projects can support local activities. We look at all opportunities to add value in a local context, including peatland restoration and biodiversity enhancement.
- More information about what we do can be found here, and you can watch our community ethos video here.