OREANDA-NEWS. Community investment funds associated with SSE’s renewable energy developments have bolstered local, not-for-profit initiatives by nearly ?3million over the past year, a new report has found.

Published on Monday this week, the 2014-15 community investment review – Sharing value. Creating opportunity – also reveals that for each pound awarded by SSE through its grant-making programme, recipients sourced an additional ?8.20 in ‘match funding’ from other sources, raising the overall impact of the cash to an impressive ?24million.  

The 350MW Clyde wind farm provides SSE’s largest community fund, which delivered ?650,000 in community grants in the South Lanarkshire, Dumfries and Galloway and Scottish Borders regions in the last financial year.  Coupled with the community benefit fund from the 172MW Clyde Extension wind farm, currently in construction, over ?60 million will be provided during the lifetime of the developments.

SSE’s community investment funds are part of a commitment made during the development of the company’s onshore wind and hydro projects in Great Britain, with funding decisions taken by independent community panels or trusts.  414 local groups primarily in Scotland but also North Lincolnshire and Essex were awarded grants to a total value of ?2,965,758 over the 12 month period. ?152,000 of this was invested in employment and skills development with 79 training positions directly supported including several apprenticeship schemes in the Highlands.

A highlight from the year was the launch of the community fund associated with Strathy North wind farm in Sutherland, which will provide over ?4.5 million over the next 25 years.  Launched in May 2014, the fund serves a population of 940 people across the three remote coastal communities of Bettyhill, Strathnaver and Altnaharra, Melvich, and Strathy and Armadale.  In its first year, the community panel distributed over ?250,000 helping a diverse range of projects come to fruition. In addition to community hall upgrades, a multi-use sports pitch, and equipment for sports groups, the fund supported the construction of the community’s first ever bowling green with a ?55,000 grant, plus the set up of a market garden selling local produce through the Allt Beag Armadale Trust. 

Other key awards in 2014-15 included ?40,000 for The Ericht Trust towards a community buy out of a disused school in Blairgowrie for redevelopment as a community cinema and venue. In Highland Perthshire, a major high speed broadband project was given a ?50,000 boost to train and employ local technicians. The children of Crawford in South Lanarkshire were successful in their bid for a new play park which was granted ?148,000 from the Clyde South Lanarkshire Fund, the largest award made during the last 12 months. 

Jim Johnston, from Bettyhill, North Sutherland is a member of the SSE Strathy North Community Fund panel. He said:

“Helping to disburse the Strathy North Fund in its first year has been a hugely rewarding experience as our fragile community has never before had access to anything resembling it under local control. I’m confident that the community will rise to the opportunities offered and maximise the usefulness of the fund in the years to come.”

SSE Director of Sustainability, Rachel McEwen, said: 

“Renewable energy is now delivering significant value to communities year in, year out. This report further demonstrates the scale and diversity of community development in the areas and regions around SSE’s wind farms. From enterprising projects that support young apprentices to energy solutions for affordable housing, it is clear that local people are making good judgements to help their communities become more sustainable places to live and visit.

“It’s particularly encouraging to see the positive impact new funds like Strathy North are having in very remote areas which have not had access to this kind of long term community revenue before.”