Dorenell Wind Farm’s Community Benefit Fund has issued more than 100 grants over the last five years, benefitting residents of all ages living within the fund areas which includes Dufftown, Auchindoun, Glenrinnes, Glenlivet, Inveravon, and the Cabrach.
The EDF power solutions UK fund aims to address issues and support priorities identified by local residents themselves, which have been captured in the area’s Community Action Plan.
In the last five years, the fund, which is administered by Foundation Scotland, has supported a broad variety of projects with the average amount awarded nearly £21,000. These have included capital projects such as footpaths, bike trails, tree planting, and playparks as well as improvements to several well-loved community facilities such as village halls and community centres.
The fund also supports a number of key staff roles in the area, including development officers in Glenlivet and Dufftown, and youth workers for Speyside Youth. A recent award to Glenrinnes will provide a staff role to support projects and residents in that community.
Organisations such as Marie Curie, Moray Baby Bank and Speyside Community Car Sharing Scheme, which deliver key local services, have all received support. The volunteer panel of local decision makers, supported by grant-making charity Foundation Scotland, has taken innovative approaches beyond standard grant-making to fully address local priorities.
The social and economic benefits go far beyond the community benefit fund. There are 14 local people employed to work at the Dorenell wind farm site in the technical team, all live within an hour of the site.
In addition to the positive impact of the Dorenell Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund, the wind farm’s Ranger Service and visitor centre, which employs three local people continues to provide opportunities for communities to enjoy the countryside while learning about wildlife and the environment. Over the last year alone the team has engaged with more than 1,000 people of all ages through an events programme which has included weekly health walks to bike rides and schools visit, which continues to expand its reach year on year.
Piero Maggio, Asset Operations Director at EDF power solutions UK said: “The good work, innovation and action taken by the communities around our wind farm to ensure the funds are spent for the betterment of local people has been key over the last five years.
“To reach this £2 million milestone for grants awarded to local groups and organisations around Dorenell Wind Farm is incredible and one we are really proud of. We look forward to seeing the projects and initiatives that the community benefit fund will help over the coming years.”
Other projects to benefit from funds include:
- A repayable award of £60,000 to Tomintoul and Glenlivet Development Trust in 2020 went towards an affordable housing project, providing cash flow and assisting in the overall financial management of the project, while being repaid back into the fund over 10 years to enable further grant-making.
- Commissioning work on developing a local footpath network, the first stage of which recently opened, re-establishing a connection between Dufftown and Auchindoun to improve local access options.
Groups can still apply for funding of up to £30,000 for projects and activities that are charitable in nature, community-led and that will benefit local residents. The deadline for the EDF power solutions UK Dorenell Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund year ahead is 30 November.
Dorenell also provides funding for microgrant schemes which are run by each of the community associations involved in setting up and running the Fund. These microgrants allow smaller groups to apply for up to £1,000 for events, activities, equipment and projects.
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Notes to Editors
More information is available from local community associations, and full details on the Dorenell Wind Farm Community Fund are available here: https://www.foundationscotland.org.uk/apply-for-funding/funding-available/Dorenell
Dorenell wind farm is a 59-turbine wind farm located near Dufftown, Moray with an operating capacity of 177MW. It was commissioned in March 2019. It is owned by Dorenell Wind Farm Limited, a partnership between EDF power solutions UK, Dalmore Capital and Foresight; it is operated by EDF power solutions UK.
