Community Fund
npower renewables has delivered a range of community benefits in association with its operating wind farms. These measures benefit those communities living closest to each wind farm, and have to date included energy efficiency measures, schools education programmes, local event sponsorships, equipment for schools, youth groups and sports clubs, and repair works to village halls and other community buildings. Community funds can be used to secure match funding from other sources helping increase the local benefit.
Two local Community Councils have agreed to administer the Community Fund to benefit the area surrounding the Bilbster Wind Farm. Watten and Tannach Community Councils will manage a Community Benefits Package worth over £140,000 (in today's money) over the operational lifetime of the wind farm. Local community organisations, groups and projects in the Watten and Tannach areas will have the opportunity to start accessing the fund when the wind farm is fully operational.
Local Economy
At Bilbster the capital investment for the project was in the region of £6m. In addition
to the wide range of companies and consultants employed during the planning process, approximately eighteen contractors were employed during the construction process.
Some of the local companies involved during the construction are listed below:
- Andrew Swanson (Dry Stone Wall)
- Gunns (Surfacing of new Site Entrance)
- John Mackay (Site Clearance & Tree Felling)
- John Munro Joinery (Substation Building)
- Scottish Hydro Contracting (Thurso) (Electrical Installation)
- Scottish & Southern Energy (Wick) (Grid Connection)
- Simpsons (Wick harbour services)
- Stephen Blackwood (Fencing)
Local Community
