Local Benefits

RES seeks to be a power for good in the communities that neighbour its projects by working openly and constructively to ensure tangible local benefits.

Some of the most direct and meaningful benefits that can be delivered from a wind farm proposal like Clune are jobs and employment for local businesses and contractors, in addition to the use of local services and amenities, all of which can generate a significant amount of inward investment within the area.

We also believe that onshore wind should provide direct, lasting benefits to local communities. RES takes a tailored approach and works directly with the community to understand how the wind farm could support the local area and help to secure long-term economic, social and environmental benefits. This approach will help to deliver a tailored community benefits package, should the project receive consent, that is aligned with the local communities’ priorities.

Tailored community benefit package

RES is proposing a tailored package of benefits for the community from the Clune Wind Farm that would be worth £5,000 per megawatt (or equivalent) of installed capacity per annum. Based on the Scoping layout, this would be almost £950,000 per annum (index linked).  This package could include RES’ innovative Local Electricity Discount Scheme (LEDS), please see below for more information on LEDS.

Should the project receive consent, the area of benefit for Clune Wind Farm will be determined in consultation with residents and representatives from the closest communities.

LEDS

Our unique Local Electricity Discount Scheme (LEDS) was developed in response to research and feedback from local communities around RES' operational wind farms, and seeks to deliver direct and tangible benefits to people living and working closest to them. LEDS offers an annual discount to the electricity bills of those properties closest to a participating wind farm and there is no need to change energy provider. The scheme would be open to all residential, business and community buildings with an electricity meter (including schools, places of worship and village halls) within the eligible area.

Involving the local supply chain

RES is committed to ensuring that, wherever reasonably practicable, local contractors and employees are used in all aspects of wind farm development. The major opportunities arise during the construction phase when suitably qualified local firms are invited to bid for different aspects of construction, such as foundation laying and electrical works. Construction materials are normally sourced locally (i.e. within the county) and local transport and plant hire companies used wherever possible.

The Clune Wind Farm, if consented, is predicted to deliver a multi-million pound package of inward investment in the form of jobs, employment and the use of local services.

The case studies below help demonstrate RES’ commitment to working with the local supply chain and maximising inward investment opportunities wherever possible on its wind farm projects:

Meikle Carewe Wind Farm, Aberdeenshire

RES' Meikle Carewe Wind Farm near Netherley in Aberdeenshire was commissioned in July 2013. Consisting of 12 turbines, the 10.2MW project injected £1.1 million into the Aberdeenshire economy during the construction phase. Contracts were set up with local hotels and cleaning companies and all of the stone and concrete used during the construction process was sourced from local suppliers, with local drivers utilised to deliver materials to the site. The balance of the workforce at Meikle Carewe lived locally during the working week, creating significant revenue for local accommodation providers. For the 25 year lifetime of the project RES anticipates to spend locally in the region of £6.7 million, of which £3.3 million will be paid to the local council in business rates.

Freasdail Wind Farm, Argyll and Bute

RES' Freasdail Wind Farm on the Kintyre peninsular in Argyll and Bute was commissioned in March 2017. Consisting of 11 turbines, the 22.55MW project has injected £6.34 million into the Argyll and Bute economy through working closely with the local supply chain - with £4.21 million being spent with local contractors, £1.56 million on local materials, £0.36 million on local supplies and services and £0.21 million on local accommodation.

Glenchamber Wind Farm, Dumfries and Galloway

RES' Glenchamber Wind Farm near New Luce, Kirkcowan and Glenluce, was commissioned in October 2016. Consisting of 11 turbines, the 27.5MW project delivered a considerable £8 million of inward investment and employed 45 local people during construction leading to upskilling of the local workforce.

 

A tailored community benefit package could include RES’ innovative Local Electricity Discount Scheme (LEDS) which offers an annual discount on the electricity bills of those properties closest to the wind farm.

 

 

 

Partnership with the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

In February 2024, RES announced its partnership with the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) to support a minimum of 60 students through their Student Development Fund. The UHI Student Development Fund was re-established earlier this year through RES' donation and has awarded its first round of grants to students across the Highlands and Islands, Moray and Perthshire. These grants will help to further the education and personal development of the students through a range of initiatives and activities, including attending art and music workshops, presenting research at conferences, obtaining new qualifications and participating in sports competitions. 

Find out more about the first three recipients who were awarded the grant here.

Above left to right: Evie Fardon, Ben Denehy, and Thomas Webber