[Closed] Anyone investing in the second Ripple Energy share scheme

Nobody?

Oh.....

I would have thought there were one or two on here interested in securing their electricity in advance.

https://rippleenergy.com/

Yep. Signed up a few months back and mulling it over at the moment. With increasing energy prices it’s very attractive especially as I am just about to stop using gas at home and go completely electric. My only concern is the few lines in the spec about running costs and having a % responsibility for these if they increase. They don’t give any examples of what that could mean. Any ideas?

I was keen on this the first time round, however what put me off was that the money received by me (dividend) wasn't actual cash, but was going to be credit with my energy supplier. I didn't have a problem with that. My concern was that they only had octopus energy signed up to the scheme.
If, for example, Octopus became significantly more expensive than other suppliers, I would have been stuck with Octopus (or lose my 'dividend'/return on investment).
I looked a couple of months ago at their second turbine, and it was the same. If other electricity suppliers were signed up, I would do it. I just didn't want to be stuck with Octopus, regardless of their pricing (in 5, 10 15 years time....)

My only concern is the few lines in the spec about running costs and having a % responsibility for these if they increase. They don’t give any examples of what that could mean. Any ideas?

No I don't, and long-term damage caused by significantly more wear and tear than envisaged but isn't "event" related (say, a storm) may lead to 'paying' more (not receiving as good a discount as advertised). [Edit: assuming damage from an event is insured] Also, I'm not sure how a community ownership group can assess whether the maintenance costs of a wind farm by Ripple are in line with industry norms.

That said, with energy prices only going in one direction and the fact that consumption will only increase with time (cars/heating etc) then on balance the investment still looks sound to me.

Edit 2: The full ownership of the wind farm is 70% private shareholders and 30% a housing company in Manchester (If I remember correctly) so potentially the shareholders may have to pay 70% of any increased maintenance costs that might arise.

My concern was that they only had octopus energy signed up to the scheme.

Thanks for flagging that - I'm with Octopus anyway, and IIRC there are more suppliers signed up now (I'm going away to check!), but you're right that it may restrict future choice in providers.

Seems like a no-brainer. Lots of awards for their first one and what is essentially copper-bottomed return based on some realistic forecasting.

As the old phrase goes "can't buy history" and if it was so good, they wouldn't be advertising it.

Any savingsare taxable according to Ripple.

Tax: the trading benefit portion of savings
on your electricity bills will be taxable
should your allowances for that tax year be
exceeded. The co-operative society may
inform HMRC of the total savings you have
received in any one tax year.

Turbine breakdowns are covered by the warranty but the loss of generation while the turbine is out of service are not.

there may be interruptions
to the generation of electricity from
the turbine, caused by damage to or
mechanic/electrical failure of equipment
or other factors, affecting the amount of
savings due to members.

If the power generated doesn't cover the operating costs they will ask you for more money. If you don't cough up they will cut your savings instead.

If they need to borrow money to cover unforseen costs they will cut your savings.

It's not a regulated investment. So no financial protection if it goes bust.

The projected return on investment is under 5% I'd rather stick my cash in a tracker fund. Probably a better return. A protected investment. If I need the cash I couldsell it.

Edit - the link refers to the first project. I'm assuming the second one will have similar conditions.