What happens when communities own their power?

On the edge of Lawrence Weston in Bristol, England’s tallest wind turbine rises above the community.

It doesn’t just generate electricity, it tells a bigger story about what happens when people are given the chance to shape the energy system around them.

Developed by Ambition Community Energy with support from longstanding Triodos customer Thrive Renewables, the group overcame seven years of planning obstacles in 2023 to eventually build the turbine, which is now 100% community-owned.  

For the people of Lawrence Weston, the turbine is a clean sign of what local ownerships means to them. It brings community benefits and gives people a real share in the move towards a renewable energy system.

Lawrence Weston is a neighbourhood that has historically seen significant under-investment and is one of the most deprived areas in Bristol and the UK, making local ownership and community benefit especially meaningful here.

The electricity it generates helps show how climate action can be rooted in a specific place and shaped by the people who live there.
 

People-powered solutions

‘Community energy’ is simple at its heart. Local people come together to develop renewable energy projects - from solar panels on schools to wind turbines or hydro schemes. They own them, they manage them, and the benefits stay close to home.

It’s about more than clean electricity. Local people can decide the kind of place they want to live in. Community energy projects are designed to keep benefits close to home, so any extra income can be reinvested into local priorities.

High energy bills and poor local funding are affecting so many of us, and these groups have come together to take matters into their own hands. They have created a solution in a time when so much can feel distant or driven by large systems. There’s something quietly powerful about that.

Unlocking barriers

Building a fairer, more local and more connected energy system isn’t easy.

Community groups work to tight budgets and often rely on volunteers. There’s also long, uncertain development timelines to navigate before a project even begins to generate energy.

That’s where the right kind of finance can make a difference.

Community energy projects don’t just need funding, they need partners who understand how they work in practice.

Triodos has been providing finance to local groups for more than 30 years. We work alongside the people behind these projects, helping them move from an idea to something tangible - whether that’s through lending or by connecting them with people who want to invest.

And it’s one of the ways your money can make a difference.

When you choose a bank that focuses on positive impact, your money can help support projects like these - projects that bring people together, create shared value and show how small, local action can lead to lasting change.