Today a new £3.3 million renewable energy bond is being launched on the Triodos crowdfunding platform. The 13-year bond in Linton Hydro Ltd offers the opportunity to invest in two operational hydropower schemes near York, whilst benefitting from 5.25% gross interest per year index-linked.

Linton Hydro owns and operates the innovative Linton Lock Scheme on the River Ouse, where its two adjacent turbines generate enough clean energy to power the equivalent of approximately 450 homes1. The scheme also supplies electricity to a local, free-range egg farm.

The scheme includes an innovative Larinier fish pass, which is helping to boost the river’s fish population by allowing easy access to traditional upstream spawning grounds. As part of the scheme’s design, Linton Hydro Ltd has also collaborated with British Canoeing to incorporate a white-water canoe course to facilitate recreational and competitive canoeing without impacting fish migration.

Dan Hird, head of Corporate Finance at Triodos Bank UK, said: “This project combines many elements which are important to our impact goals and those of our investors – clean energy, positive impact on local wildlife and delivering community recreational assets. We think this investment opportunity will be attractive to those seeking to fund positive change whilst also generating a financial return.”

Dave Mann, Director of Linton Hydro Ltd, said: “We are very proud of our scheme. It is generating clean energy and it’s great to be able to directly supply a local farm to support their sustainability efforts. We used the knowledge and expertise of our team to build a Larinier fish pass incorporating a specific passage for eels and lamprey and collaborated with several local organisations and British Canoeing to ensure the canoe course was part of the overall design.  Investors will be supporting a unique and successful project which contributes to the UK’s efforts to tackle climate change.”

The scheme has been praised by the Environment Agency for its innovation and contribution to help increase the fish population in the River Ouse. Pat O’Brien, Fisheries Technical Specialist at the Environment Agency, said: “This is a fantastic partnership scheme that provides many positive environmental outcomes. The hydropower station offers a source of green energy, it provides a new recreational facility for canoeists at a location close to York, and a fish passage for all species has been optimised at no cost to the public purse.”

The scheme’s dynamic fish pass also allows more water flow for the benefit of canoeists using the river. A series of drops and pools will enable paddlers to practise and compete and it is envisaged the white-water course will host slalom and freestyle competitions, attracting recreational paddlers from all over the region.

Talking about the course, Ben Seal, Places to Paddle manager at British Canoeing, said: “It will be a fantastic regional facility of national significance. Its creative design fulfils both environmental and recreational needs, allowing canoeists to come and train, compete and play. We certainly hope that this concept can be a blueprint for others to draw from in future.”

The investment offer will be open on the Triodos crowdfunding platform until 16 December 2019, unless the full amount is raised before that date. The minimum investment is £50 and can be held in an Innovative Finance ISA (IFISA), where interest is paid tax-free. Like all ISAs, the Innovative Finance ISA is subject to eligibility criteria. For a higher rate (40%) taxpayer, holding a bond paying 5.25% interest in an ISA is the equivalent of investing in a bond paying 8.75% interest outside of an ISA wrapper (this does not take into account the personal savings allowance of £1,000 for basic rate taxpayers and £500 for higher rate taxpayers). Interest will increase in-line with the Retail Price Index from April 2020, providing an inflation protected return to investors.  As with all investments, capital is at risk and returns are not guaranteed.

More information on the Triodos IFISA can be found at: triodoscrowdfunding.co.uk. For more information or to view the full offer document please visit triodoscrowdfunding.co.uk/invest/linton-hydro.

Important information

Investments offered on the Triodos crowdfunding platform are not readily realisable, which means that they may be difficult to sell, and you may not get back the full amount invested. Investments are not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) and your capital is at risk and returns are not guaranteed. Repayment of capital and interest or payment of dividends will be dependent on the success of the organisation's business model and past performance isn’t a reliable indicator of future performance. You should always read the offer document in full before deciding whether to invest as it will cover risks specific to an individual investment. You can read more about the general risks associated with making these types of investments here. If you are unsure if any of these investments are right for you, you should contact an Independent Financial Adviser.

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For further information and photos please contact:

Rebecca Bushell

Ellie James

Notes to editor

About Triodos Bank

Founded in 1980, Triodos Bank has become a frontrunner in sustainable banking globally. As an independent bank that promotes responsible and transparent banking, it does not see any conflict between a focus on people and the planet and a good financial return. Instead it believes that they reinforce each other in the long-term.

Triodos Bank has banking activities in the Netherlands, Belgium, the UK, Spain, Germany and France as well as Investment Management activities based in the Netherlands but active globally. Triodos Bank co-founded the Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV), a network of 54 sustainable banks. Together these banks want to grow sustainable banking and its impact on the real economy substantially.

Triodos Bank UK Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Triodos Bank NV. Registered Office: Deanery Road, Bristol, BS1 5AS. Registered in England and Wales Company No. 11379025. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority under registration number 817008. VAT reg no 793493383.

This financial promotion has been issued and approved by Triodos Bank UK Limited for the purposes of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.  Triodos Bank UK Ltd. Registered Office: Deanery Road, Bristol, BS1 5AS. Registered in England and Wales with registered number 11379025. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority under registration number 817008. Details about the extent of our regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority are available from us on request.