Over £140,000 allocated to Caithness groups in first round of Halsary funding
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
The first grants have been awarded from a wind farm fund that will eventually deliver £3.75 million to Caithness communities.
ScottishPower Renewables’ Halsary Windfarm Community Benefit Fund is providing £150,000 each year for the next 25 years and more than £140,000 has been allocated in the opening round.
More than £98,000 has been distributed through the Caithness Community Fund, open to projects and initiatives from across all 12 community council areas in the county, with funding decisions made by local people.
Barry Carruthers, ScottishPower Renewables’ managing director for onshore, said: “It’s brilliant to see this funding for community groups across Caithness.
"We’re dedicated to supporting the communities around our wind farms, being a sustainable developer and the best of neighbours – and these funds are empowering local people to make decisions that will give the greatest positive impact directly for their local areas.”
One of the groups being supported is Staxigoe and Papigoe Community Hall. Its award of £7500 will go towards insulation and heat-pump technology, helping to reduce the carbon footprint and running costs of the building.
Almost £13,000 was awarded for young people to attend residential trips, including journeys to a gymnastics event and The Wave surfing facility near Bristol.
A further £42,000 has been awarded by the local funding panels in Halkirk, Watten and the Latheron, Lybster and Clyth area from their share of the Halsary money.
Among the initiatives supported is the creation of a new post for a development officer, employed by Caithness Voluntary Group (CVG), who will help the Halkirk and district and Watten communities drive forward projects and address local priorities.
Siobhan Jarvie, ScottishPower Renewables’ stakeholder and community manager, said: “It’s exciting to see the host of local projects that are benefiting from the Halsary Windfarm Community Benefit Fund.
"We introduced a region-wide pool to which people from all areas of Caithness can apply. We’ve been listening to the community from the start and have acted on their direct feedback on how they wanted the fund to work for them.
“It’s great to see that a new job is being supported by the local fund too, which will help the communities at Halkirk and Watten make the most of the money they get from Halsary, creating a long and lasting legacy.”
The 30MW, 15-turbine Halsary wind farm south of Spittal came into operation in July 2021.
The three community council areas closest to the site – Halkirk and district; Latheron, Lybster and Clyth; and Watten – are each receiving £30,000 a year.
A further £60,000 is being made available annually through the Caithness Community Fund, which is open to groups from across the county including the three nearest community councils as well as Berriedale and Dunbeath; Bower; Caithness West; Castletown; Dunnet and Canisbay; Sinclair's Bay; Tannach and District; Thurso; and Wick.
CVG provides the administrative support to the decision-making panels for both the Caithness Community Fund and the Latheron, Lybster and Clyth fund.
Foundation Scotland is providing the administrative support for Halkirk and district and Watten.
The Caithness Community Fund and the fund for Latheron, Lybster and Clyth are open for applications until May 31. Details can be found on the CVG website.
Information about the funds for Halkirk and district and Watten, including application deadlines, is on the Foundation Scotland website.
Halsary wind farm was built specifically to support the green energy needs of Tesco.
