Ripple Energy

The main innovation in this project appears to be that investors will be paid back through a reduction in their electricity bills, rather than paying interest or dividends directly, but it's not obvious to me why that is an advantage.  There is a 'feel good' factor of having the illusion of receiving electricity directly from your own wind farm, but the reality is that the project will feed into the national grid just like all other generators.

The prospectus shows forecasts of return on investment on page 28, based on estimates of future electricity prices and the amount of electricity generated (which depends on wind).  Based on the Government's mid-range forecast for electricity prices, a level of electricity generation that is 75% likely to be achieved, and a 20-year project lifespan, they project a 3.2% return on investment, which is much lower than what I initially estimated using the "quote" system on their website.  They forecast that returns could range from as low as -0.8% to as high as 7.0% depending on assumptions.  This is taxable, of course.  Their forecasts have an additional caveat that low wholesale electricity prices right now mean that the rate of return for the first year will be lower than the amounts stated.  They are expecting to complete construction and start generating power (and returns on investment) in April 2021.  And on pages 35-36 of the prospectus they note that their generation forecasts are based on local Met Office data and a neighbouring wind farm, but "there have been no direct wind measurements at the project site" which seems quite surprising to me!

For people interested in investing in wind power, it would be worthwhile comparing this offer with similar schemes available from Energy4All, Abundance, and others.

LOL been reading the RIPPLE forums 

People think that if they buy an amount that gives 2000kWh of annual production they get 2000kWh free, others that think because the Ripple overhead is 2P kWh that is what they will pay going forwards. and others that think if they have purchased over 100% they will get negative bills.

for me it was an easy concept to get my head round but a lot of people are very confused

ooh Ripple have stirred a hornets nest

as readers will know the Kirk Hill payment was announced as 3.2p for 6 months from ist June
they have just announced a deal with EON next for the period to 31/12 at 4.9p

one of the big causes of anger is they have described the difference of over 50% as marginal

they have said they will start all new contracts on 1st Jan which raises the question what do those on the 3.2p rate get for that last month

Now we have Graig Fatha Paying 6.5p or so

Kirk hill paying 3.2p or 4.9p

and they are saying the solar farm Derrill water may pay 9p

For anyone invested in Kirk Hill

the FCA have issued a cancellation notice for the co-op

this is seriously bad news


mutuals.fca.org.uk/Search/Society/31015

Its down to RIPPLE not submitting accounts on time, Accounts for 31/12/22 and 31/12/23 not submitted as required by law within 7 months