Over £260,000 generated for Moray communities

AN ENERGY firm has paid out over a quarter of million pounds for Moray community projects over the last year, a report shows.

SSE Renewables has made its largest ever investment into communities this year, its report out this week shows, and handed out over £264,823 in supporting 23 projects across Moray over the period from April 1, 2018 to March 31 this year.

Windfall recipients included Findhorn-based Wild Things, which was awarded £30,000 to encourage older participants to share their past experiences in nature and use this as inspiration for its "little saplings" courses which provide children with early nature experiences.

Luke Strachan, chief executive officer at Wild Things, outlined how the cash had furthered the project's work. He said: "The support of SSE Renewables has enabled us to put health and wellbeing and older people at the heart of our work, providing opportunities for vulnerable and isolated people across Moray. We are excited to see the difference this project is already making."

The Three Harbours Association, a charity with representatives from the three communities of Cullen, Portknockie and Findochty, received £50,000 to expand and develop the Cullen Sea School.

Moray Citizens Advice Bureau in Elgin was handed £9,216 to employ a part-time adviser.

The report, published this week, shows SSE Renewables invested £6.6 million into 413 community projects in the UK over the time period.

The funds come from a commitment by SSE Renewables to invest in the communities near its renewable energy developments and the funding decisions are made by local people.

This year, key areas of investment were improving local assets such as community shops, museums and village halls.

Jim Smith, director of SSE Renewables, said: "The funding from SSE Renewables is vital to many local areas in Moray and we are delighted to support these communities to grow and flourish.

"The renewable energy sector has an important role to play in tackling the climate change challenge, but it also can play an important role helping rural communities thrive, as this report highlights."

Last month nine Moray projects shared £250,013 from the SSE Renewables-led Beatrice offshore wind farm fund, including £50,000 to Lossiemouth Community Development Trust towards the town's East Beach project. For details on fund applications for this year visit https://sse.com/communities/fundlocations/beatrice-moray/.

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