New funding for community groups from Ayre wind farm developer
An offshore wind developer has launched a new round of funding for organisations and groups working to strengthen communities in Caithness and Orkney.
Thistle Wind Partners (TWP) is looking to support locally led initiatives that promote rural regeneration and sustainability in areas near its Ayre offshore wind farm project, to be located east of Orkney and north-east of Caithness.
Over the past two years, TWP has distributed funding to a number of Caithness organisations including Lyth Arts Centre, Keiss village hall and Caithness Rural Transport, part of Caithness Voluntary Group.
TWP also donated a new training vessel to UHI Orkney Nav School in Stromness.
Applications are now open for donations of between £250 and £500, with priority given to applicants in the Sinclair’s Bay, Bower and Halkirk community council areas.
Ayre wind farm will be made up of floating foundation turbines. The project is in its early development phase.
In 2024, TWP reached approximately 5700 individuals through its STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) outreach activities, including sponsorship of the UHI STEM outreach programme and participation in science festivals, engineering events and school visits in Orkney and Caithness.
TWP community engagement manager Allan Tait said: “TWP’s small donations fund will support a range of local initiatives in partnership with communities near our Ayre project.
“Last year these included improvements to walking trails, the introduction of electric buses and summer arts activities for schoolchildren. All of these activities were chosen based on input from local groups as to what would be most beneficial to them.
“This is a critical time for the Ayre project as we approach the submission of our onshore consent application, and we remain committed to continuing our support for local initiatives that reflect the needs of the community and align with our goals of achieving a clean energy future.”
Guidance on how to make an application for funding from Thistle Wind Partners can be found at https://thistlewindpartners.scot/donations
Funding will also be available to organisations and groups in Aberdeenshire, where TWP’s Bowdun offshore wind farm is located.