Rosebud funding helps Ryse Energy take Lancashire built turbines to Belgium 

When Ryse Energy saw an opportunity to sell its wind turbines in Belgium, it needed to adapt the technology to meet the country’s electricity grid requirements. Funding from Rosebud helped the company develop and test a new turbine controller. Ryse has since sold 18 turbines into the Belgian market over two years. 

The work was carried out as part of Ryse’s growth in Lancashire, where 22 people assemble its G11 turbine. The site is also the service hub for around 1,000 turbines across the UK. 

Ryse manufactures and supplies small wind turbines and hybrid renewable energy systems to customers ranging from individuals and smaller businesses to large blue chip organisations. Its UK turnover is more than £2 million, while turnover across the group is around £12 million. 

The Belgian project called for a controller that would allow Ryse’s turbines to comply with local grid rules. Rosebud funding supported its development and testing, alongside equipment, research and capacity at the Lancashire plant. The resulting sales included turbines supplied with two 30-metre towers for Europlay. 

Richard Caldow, Group Chief Operating Officer at Ryse Energy said: “Belgium was a market we wanted to enter, but we had to do the development work first. Rosebud backed us through that process, and we’ve now sold 18 turbines there. Their team has taken the time to understand what we’re building in Blackpool and where we want to take the business.” 

Ryse first approached Rosebud for a loan and later returned for further funding. Richard says the regular contact matters as much as the finance: the teams speak quarterly and share monthly updates, giving Rosebud a continuing picture of the business and its plans. 

Blackpool remains central to those plans. Ryse aims to expand its operations there as the group grows and uses local suppliers and subcontractors from across Lancashire where it can.  

Martin Emmott, Fund Manager at Rosebud said: “Ryse had a clear opportunity in Belgium and a specific piece of development work to complete before it could sell there. We were able to support that work and continue the relationship as the business grew. It’s good to see the result in export sales, with the Blackpool team playing such a central role.” 

Rosebud’s relationship with Ryse reflects the value of staying close to a business after the first loan, particularly when further funding needs arise. 

County Councillor Brian Moore, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Growth at Lancashire County Council: “Ryse’s work in Belgium shows what can happen when a business with a base in Lancashire has support for a well-defined growth opportunity. The turbines are assembled in Blackpool, and Ryse is making use of local suppliers wherever it can. We want more businesses to have the chance to grow from a base here in Lancashire.”