Ecotricity plans to build three hybrid energy parks

Ecotricity, a UK-based green energy company, plans to build three new hybrid renewable energy parks. The three new parks will add 15 MW of solar capacity, which could generate enough energy each year to power the equivalent of almost 3,000 typical homes.

Hybrid renewable energy parks combine wind and sun generation in the same project, in the same place, using the same grid connection – a more efficient, rounded approach to green energy generation in Britain.

Ecotricity plans to add sun parks to two existing wind parks in Devon and Lincolnshire, and add a third to a wind park currently being built in Leicestershire.

Ecotricity founder Dale Vince said that the UK government prefers fossil fuels and is calling the Conservatives to level the playing field.

“Those stealth fossil fuel subsidies add up to EUR1000 a year for each household; compare that to just EUR100 a year for renewable energy, which now provides 25% of Britain’s electricity – that’s EUR100 well spent and a big part of the reason why we’re so confident that with a level playing field renewable energy would thrive.” Vince said.

The announcement follows Ecotricity’s launch this week of ecobond three, a radical funding mechanism that gives households the chance to share in the financial benefits of the Green Energy revolution.

ecobond three will help to build six new green energy projects across Britain that are already under construction, including a nine-turbine wind park in Dalby, a windmill to power Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn and a sun park in Somerset.

The company is also making preparations to build what would be one of England’s biggest wind parks – up to 22 windmills at Heckington Fen in Lincolnshire, which could power up to 40,000 homes.