Speyside communities secure fairer deal from Dorenell Wind Farm as operator EDF pledges extra £4m
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SPEYSIDE communities have thrashed out a deal for an extra £4 million from a windfarm benefit fund.
Four Speyside groups have spent the last year and a half working to secure a fairer community pay-off from EDF Renewables, the energy giant behind Dorenell Wind Farm.
The communities of Glenlivet & Inveravon, Glenrinnes, Dufftown and Cabrach are the beneficiaries of the Dorenell Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund.
Talks have now concluded with EDF Renewables pledging an additional £4 million over the operating life of the windfarm – which brings the total fund value to £16 million over its operating life.
They also secured an additional EDF donation of more than £1 million to a special projects fund over the first five years of the windfarm's operation, which will be invested into an endowment fund for future generations.
Fraser McGill, of Dufftown and District Community Association, said: "It is a moment to celebrate. Some of the community representatives have dedicated 13 years to this cause and without their persistence the communities would not have received such a favourable outcome.
"The additional endowment fund will deliver a legacy which generations after us will benefit from – a fitting end to the commitment which the volunteers have shown."
Tricia Lawson, of Glenlivet and Inveravon Community Association, said: "The association is delighted that, after protracted negotiations over the Dorenell Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund, we will be able to participate along with the three other communities to help residents create an enduring legacy.
"The fund will bring exciting opportunities for projects, small and large, which will enable members of all age groups within our communities to help support a viable future."
Moray SNP MSP Richard Lochhead said: "Dufftown and District Community Association have campaigned hard over the last couple of years to ensure that local communities secured a fairer share of the income generated from this windfarm.
"As local MSP, I was pleased to be able to support them and to add my voice to calls for fairer treatment for these Speyside communities from EDF.
"The national standard in Scotland for community benefit from onshore developers is £5000 per Megawatt and whilst EDF won’t be delivering that level of support, it is to be welcomed that an extra £4 million will be allocated over the course of the windfarm’s lifetime.
"Onshore wind has a valuable role to play in our energy mix – but companies who are generating huge revenues from Moray’s natural resources must recognise that they have a responsibility to help local development and our economy."
The level of donations to the main fund has also increased due to inflation, which has been backdated to October 2010, the date on which planning was granted.
This means that, in terms of current value, the initial payment for 2019-20 was £2525 per Megawatt of installed capacity instead of £2000 per Megawatt capacity. The payments will also increase in line with the Retail Price Index each year. These are projected to be worth £3 million over the operational life of the windfarm.
Commissioned in March last year, the 59-turbine windfarm sits off the A941, south of Dufftown. EDF Renewables says it has the generating capacity to power up to 106,000 homes.
The Dorenell Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund will open on July 1 for grant applicants, to be administered by independent grant-making charity Foundation Scotland.
