Benefits

Dealing with energy issues
The need for more renewable energy sources is greater than ever. Climate change, increasing power prices and fears over security of supply have put the issue of energy high in everyone’s mind. National and regional authorities acknowledge that renewable energy is an important solution to meet the challenges of our modern lifestyle and its high energy demands.

Communities
Infinergy believes that the local community should benefit from the development of a wind farm. For instance, a wind farm that moves to the construction stage can create opportunities for local contractors. Furthermore we are keen to support the community on local initiatives. Therefore we would like to set up a trust fund which will be managed by local authorities and community members. Infinergy will donate revenue from the project to the fund. Typically this amount is up to £2,000 per megawatt installed per year.

It is intended that this fund will be managed by the communities around the wind farm. Therefore it will be up to the local residents to decide how the money is best invested back into the surrounding area. During the public consultations, Infinergy discussed with local people their views on initiatives that could benefit from the community fund. Following on from this, the following initiatives were identified:

  • Strengthening local tourism by encouraging and promoting access to the estate. Promoting and encouraging access is seen by many as one of the key routes to economic regeneration;
  • Wider regeneration of the Cabrach, including local employment, refurbishment of existing housing and new affordable housing;
  • Community Benefit Fund. £2,000 per year per megawatt of installed capacity = £354,000 annually into wider local communities including Dufftown, Glenrinnes, Glenlivet and Cabrach, for the 25 year life time of the wind farm, to fund local projects;
  • Fisheries Management Plan in conjunction with the Deveron and Spey Fisheries Trusts and Boards;
  • Habitat Management Plan (HMP) developed in conjunction with Scottish Natural Heritage, is designed to preserve and enhance wildlife habitats on the wind farm site and the wider Glenfiddich estate.

Altogether, the community benefit package amounts to over £10m over the life of the wind farm.

Winners 2011