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 Torfichen 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.
Generating enough clean, green electricity to power the equivalent of approximately 117,000 homes annually.
Predicted to deliver around £10.2 million inward investment in Midlothian during construction
An expected £5.5 million of economic activity linked to operations and maintenance work.
Up to £64.8 million in businesses rates to Midlothian Council supporting vital local services.
Provide a community benefit package worth over £27 million over the wind farm's lifetime.
Potential to deliver an annual discount on the electricity bills of properties closest to the wind farm
Tailored community benefit package
RES is proposing a tailored package of benefits for the community from the Torfichen Wind Farm that would be worth £5,000 per megawatt (or equivalent) of installed capacity per annum, which works out at over £27 million (or equivalent) over the operational lifetime of the project.
This package could include RES’ innovative Local Electricity Discount Scheme (LEDS) - please see across for more information on LEDS.
Should the project receive consent, the area of benefit for Torfichen Wind Farm will be determined in consultation with locally elected representatives from the closest communities.
Local Electricity Discount Scheme
Our unique Local Electricity Discount Scheme (LEDS) seeks to deliver direct and tangible benefits to people living and working closest to RES’ operational wind farms. Developed in response to research and feedback from local communities around RES' operational wind farms, LEDS offers an annual discount to the electricity bills of those properties closest to a participating wind farm.
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.
If LEDS is something that you are interested in as a potential part of a tailored community benefits package at Torfichen Wind Farm, or if you would like more information, please let us know.
Local benefit case studies
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.