Cornwall’s first community-owned energy co-operative Community Power Cornwall Limited has acquired a wholly-owned subsidiary called West Country Renewables Limited for around £1.34m.

This is the first time a Cornish community energy society has bought an existing company and managers say it is a significant step for community ownership of energy generation in Cornwall.

The sale brings five solar arrays at Mount Hawke Skate Park, St Agnes Railway Yard, St Agnes Presingoll Farm and Scarne Industrial Estate, and three wind turbines which are scattered across the rest of the South West into community ownership.

The acquisition was funded by a loan of £1.43m from The Low Carbon Society Limited, which makes loans to community enterprises to support projects with positive social and environmental outcomes.

TLC Society has a loan facility with Cornwall Council which funded £1.27m of the acquisition.

Neil Farrington, of Community Power Cornwall  said: ‘Not only are we generating home-grown clean energy, we’re keeping it in Cornwall and we’re maximising the value of projects by employing local people.

‘This community ownership is happening thanks to the dedication and determination of a few individuals.

‘I would encourage everyone to join this quiet revolution, get involved in your local group, become a supporter or volunteer, because this is a story of true local empowerment with green community projects run by the community, for the community.’