Wind Farms' £9 million Community Boost

Communities have benefited from million of pounds from wind farm subsidies, that's according to research.

Local Energy Scotland's study claims a diverse range of projects wouldn't be possible without the cash and its website has a guide to what is being done as a result of specific developments, with no examples listed in Fife.

Recent grants have been used to build a new community hall in Daviot, Aberdeenshire, send a dance school from West Lothian to the European Street Dance Championships in Germany and to buy a thermal imaging camera so residents in Sutherland can see where their homes need extra insulation.

The details come from the constantly-updated Local Energy Scotland Community Renewables Register.

Chris Morris of Local Energy Scotland said: “The Register shows not just the financial value of Community Benefit funds, providing sustainable income to Scottish communities every year, but also shows what can be achieved with the revenue.

“We strongly encourage developers and communities alike to visit the Register and browse the information available, and of course upload information of any schemes in which they are involved.”

More than £8.8 million is now donated in Community Benefit payments to Scottish communities every 12 months from projects of all scales, from just 500kW to the largest entry at 539MW, ScottishPower Renewables’ Whitelee wind farm. 

Jenny Hogan is Director of Policy at industry body Scottish Renewables:

You can see a map of wind turbines and pending applications here: