Caithness communities set to benefit from £3.75 million Halsary wind farm fund
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Communities across Caithness are set to benefit from a new £3.75 million fund created by Halsary wind farm, with the developers promising that it will create "a long and lasting legacy".
The 30MW, 15-turbine wind farm south of Spittal, which came into operation in July 2021, was built by ScottishPower Renewables (SPR) specifically to support the green energy needs of Tesco.
The Halsary Community Benefit Fund will provide £150,000 each year for the next 25 years.
SPR says this reflects its commitment to supporting communities around the wind farm and being "a sustainable developer and good neighbour".
The three community council areas closest to the site – Halkirk and District; Latheron, Lybster and Clyth; and Watten – will each directly receive £30,000 a year for projects and initiatives chosen by local people for the benefit of local people.
Stuart Mills, vice-chairman of Halkirk and District Community Council, said: “ScottishPower Renewables’ community benefit is an important part of the overall package supplied by the renewables developments in the Caithness area.”
Pat Hendry, secretary of Latheron, Lybster and Clyth Community Council, said: “The grants will allow local groups in Caithness to have funding available to them to provide activities and projects which they would otherwise be unable to afford.”
Eilidh Coll, community funds adviser for Foundation Scotland – which is providing the administrative support for the Halkirk and Watten funds – said: “ScottishPower Renewables’ community benefit fund will enable communities looking for funding for long-term projects to realise their goals.”
A further £60,000 will be available annually through the Caithness Community Fund, which is open to groups from across Caithness including the three closest community councils as well as Berriedale and Dunbeath; Bower; Caithness West; Castletown; Dunnet and Canisbay; Sinclair's Bay; Tannach and District; Thurso; and Wick community councils.
Caithness Voluntary Group provides the administrative support to the decision-making panels for both the Caithness Community Fund and the Latheron, Lybster and Clyth fund.
A spokesperson for the Caithness Community Fund said: “The decision by ScottishPower Renewables to open this fund Caithness-wide is much appreciated and welcomed, allowing a larger number of local groups the chance to apply for wind farm funding which previously wasn't available to them due to their location within Caithness.
“The Halsary fund gives each group an opportunity to pitch for funding, which – in the current financial climate – is much needed by many groups that would struggle without this financial support.”
SPR’s community liaison officer Siobhan Jarvie said: “It’s fantastic to see these funds up and running and I can’t wait to see the projects that come forward and make a positive difference for people and communities across Caithness. This will create a long and lasting legacy from Halsary wind farm that will deliver right across the region.”
Further details on the funds and how to apply are available online:
Barry Carruthers, SPR’s managing director for onshore, added: “Our onshore wind farms don’t just produce enough clean, green electricity to power millions of homes – they have contributed to the development of a vital industry that employs thousands of people, delivers billions in investment, supports an extensive supply chain and creates real and tangible benefits for communities.
"With these dedicated funds, we’re putting money directly into the hands of communities and empowering them to make the decisions and allocate the funds in the way that will have the greatest impact.”
