Case Studies
Great Western Air Ambulance Charity
Overview
The Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) is a non-profit organisation providing air ambulance service across the south west. Funded by the Community Energy Fund (Stages 1 and 2) and supported by Empowered Projects and Bristol Energy Cooperative, a detailed technical and financial Feasibility study confirmed viability of a 5.4MW ground mounted Solar Farm and a 12 bay Electric Vehicle Charging Hub (EVCH) with associated retail space. The ground mounted solar scheme will be split between grid export (4MWp) and a private wire supplying the EVCH (1.4MWp) and shop.
As well as creating an additional income stream for GWAAC, the community will benefit from cheaper energy supplied through a cooperative and improved electric vehicle infrastructure. Commercial partners are assisting by taking some planning elements to full planning application, and additional CEF funding is enabling other elements of the projects to tackle full planning approval through separate application process. The project intends to be operational in sometime mid 2026.
Solutions
Ground Mounted Solar PV: Proposal is in place to install 5.4 MWp solar PV.
EV Charging Infrastructure: A comprehensive study to check the feasibility to install EV chargers. A total of 12 Ultra Rapid EV Charges (150kW each) was proposed.
Grid Surgery and Feasibility: A study with the local DNO to accommodate energy export to the grid.
Planning pre-applications: Pre-application advice was obtained from the local authority, community engagement undertaken and studies commissioned to provide appropriate input to designs (including Heritage, Ecology and Transport).
Commercial Partners: Multiple commercial partners were appraised and preferred partners were selected to assist with taking the project through the pre-construction stage. Partners have been selected for their experienced with relevant technology and also their longstanding relationship with commercial operators of the potential retail space.
Conclusion
GWAAC Solar and EVCH projects are currently going through 2 seperate full planning application processes. Empowered Projects successfully steered these 2 separate and closely aligned projects through a detailed feasibility and design process. Both Community Energy and Commercial partners have been secured to leverage their expertise and financial standing to maximise the likelyhood of long term success.