The Denshaw Wind Farm Project is exploring the feasibility of developing a community owned wind farm near Denshaw. Previously, planning has been refused for the proposed 15 MW development at this site, on the basis of a commercial application in 2003. This project aims to remove barriers to planning through a commitment to community co-development and 100% community ownership of the scheme.
Led by Carbon Co-op, this feasibility study is exploring how to structure the scheme through a Community Benefit Society, considering financial and governance elements:
Maintaining democratic local control
Local residents will hold voting shares to guide all major decisions, ensuring the community retains permanent control. Non locally held shares will gradually be redeemed over time to transition to full local ownership.
“Denshaw Power” local tariffs
We are designing a direct-supply model using grid reforms to deliver cheaper, clean electricity directly to local households.
Democratic community benefit fund
All surplus profits will flow into a fund controlled and distributed by local members to support their communities. This may be through initiatives to provide insulation and retrofit schemes, alleviate fuel poverty and boost local biodiversity, for example.
Technical Feasibility & Environmental Stewardship
While community benefit is our driving force, we are performing technical and ecological due diligence to address historical concerns following a failed 2003 commercial planning application
With funding from the Great British Energy Community Fund, we are evaluating key technical factors to design a sensitive, viable scheme:
Optimised turbine design and layout
Instead of the original 7-turbine commercial proposal, we are evaluating using just 3 to 4 modern, high-efficiency turbines. This may help to reduce visual impact, avoid areas of deep peat, and position the development away from sensitive receptors.
Water quality first commitment
Located on United Utilities land around the Dowry Reservoir, the project operates under a strict protocol. Our ongoing hydrology, hydrogeology, and peat studies must ensure construction and operations cause zero disturbance to the local raw water catchment and reservoirs.
Grid and access planning
The technical partner is modelling wind yield, securing grid connection options, and mapping safe delivery routes for components with minimal local disruption.
Get Involved
We are committed to sharing our open models and learning with other community energy groups. A full project case study and feasibility report will be published at the end of the project in early 2027.
If you wish to know more, contact the project manager, Aldous at aldous@carbon.coop.
Quick Project Summary
Lead partner: Carbon Co-op
Partners: Energy Prospects Co-operative, Locogen
Funding from the Great British Energy Community Fund (GBECF)
Timeline: August 2026 – February 2027
Location: Near Denshaw, Oldham