The benefits to our communities
To support communities near our renewable energy sites, each of our operational projects have a dedicated fund to spend on the needs of the community.
Communities decide for themselves how they want to spend their funds. These might be small-scale, one-off investments (e.g. a school gardening project) or larger renovation projects (e.g. repairing a war memorial). The size of each fund depends on the size of the wind or solar farm and how much energy it produces.
As part of this we use a third party to administer the funds at arms’ length so that it remains impartial and fair.
During 2023, some of the monies have gone towards developing community facility through measures to improve energy efficient; helping people learn new skills and find work; increase storage facilities and improve access and car parks at a local community group. Other included a £10,000 annual donation to fund RNLI’s Blyth live-saving service and £75,000 toward the Borders ice rink to secure its future.