ScottishPower Renewables says community benefit fund will support 'people and communities across Caithness'
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
THE company behind the Halsary wind farm, south of Spittal, is to launch its community benefit fund shortly and says it will support "people and communities across Caithness."
But ScottishPower Renewables would not be drawn on a claim made by Thurso and northwest Caithness Highland councillor, Donnie Mackay, that cheaper energy bills "would be more helpful to Caithness people than community benefit funds from wind farms."
The company welcomed the UK Government’s Energy Security Strategy – launched last week – and which supports more renewables and other energy sources, including nuclear.
ScottishPower Renewables recognises the impact of rising energy prices on household finances and is ready "to deliver more projects and help break the link between the UK’s energy use and the volatile gas market, which is what’s driving up people’s bills."
A company spokeswoman said: "We’ve been working closely with the local communities and community councils to agree the framework for the Halsary Community Benefit Fund, which will be launched shortly, and we are in the final stage of signing the relevant agreements.
"We look forward to launching the fund and supporting people and communities across Caithness."
Mr Mackay, who is not standing at next month's local government elections, made his comments at the most recent meeting of the Castletown and District Community Council during a discussion about funding from the Halsary wind farm, south of Spittal.
The 15-turbine development, which can generate enough electricity to power almost 20,000 homes, represents a £37 million investment in the Highlands and will result in a community benefit fund for the area.
As reported last week, Mr Mackay, said it would help people more if the money from community benefit funds was used to help discount bills for local people at a time of rising energy costs.
He said: "It would be far better if people had cheaper electricity. Everyone in the community would benefit from that."
Community council secretary, Liz Geddes, agreed – as did other members – and said: "That would be a good idea but they will not do that."
Thurso-based community activist, Alexander Glasgow, a candidate for the Thurso and northwest Caithness Highland Council seat, does not think discount schemes would work as they would involve "complex negotiations" involving dedicated staff.
He said: "Maybe funds could have been constituted differently at the start, but this is where we are at. We have to work with the tools we have."
The Halsary wind farm, which was built to help meet the green energy needs of the Tesco supermarket retailer, was developed as part of a power purchase agreement (PPA), making it the first ScottishPower Renewables wind farm to be built without a government support scheme.
PPAs allow developers to invest in and build new green infrastructure projects while corporate customers get a source of clean energy and a reduction in their carbon footprint.
