The 3MW scheme comprises six 500kW turbines on 50m-high towers that will, subject to planning permission, be built on six different Bernard Matthews sites in Norfolk and Lincolnshire.
Local residents and Bernard Matthews staff will be able to purchase a share in the £7.5 million scheme, called Bernard Matthews Wind Energy Co-operative, with individuals able to apply for shares ranging from £250-£20,000 per person. A return on their investment will come from a share in any profits generated by the new co-operative.
The scheme is a partnership between Bernard Matthews and Energy4All, a not-for-profit-based organisation specialising in developing community-based renewable energy schemes.
"As a business model this is something that is fairly commonplace in Europe, but much less so in the UK," said Bernard Matthews UK managing director Rob Mears.
"We will be the first company to deliver something like this in the Eastern region, so I hope there will be plenty of demand from local people to invest in the project."
The proposed sites are on land owned by Bernard Matthews in Causeway and Pinchbeck in Lincolnshire and Wendling, Wood Norton, Wreningham and Oulton in Norfolk.
.png)
.png)
