THE company behind two new wind turbines due to take shape in Wickwar and Kingswood next year is looking for local people to invest in the clean energy scheme.

Resilient Energy Mounteneys Renewables is set to build two 500kW wind turbines at Mounteneys Farm, Chase Lane, Wickwar and Cherry Rock Farm, Wickwar Road, Kingswood to power up to 650 homes in the two villages before the end of 2016.

But before going ahead, the social purpose business, based at The Resilience Centre in Woolaston, needs to raise the £2.75million needed to fund the project.

To do so it is offering local residents the chance to invest in the project. Shares are predicted to give a seven to eight per cent annual return, plus 30 per cent tax relief for those who subscribe by next week. The project includes a £2million community fund to help local communities over the next 25 years.

Sue Clarke, a director of both Resilient Energy Mounteneys Renewables and The Resilience Centre, said: “Unlike in energy industries such as nuclear and fracking, we offer the community the chance to own and run its own energy supplies for local community benefit – as well as being safe and helping to reduce climate change.

“Working with community minded local farmer, Winston Howes, we have received a lot of local support to bring the project to this stage and it is great that others now have the opportunity to get involved and help to realise the project, and its many social, environmental and local economic benefits, whilst also receiving a fair return.”

Minimum investments are set at £250 and although share offers will be accepted for longer, the government tax relief offer closes on Tuesday, November 24.

The offer is open to individuals, businesses, the public sector and self-invested pension schemes. Only individuals are eligible for enterprise investment tax relief.

For further details about the project and the share offer go to Ethex.co.uk/REMR