The Benefits to the Local Community:
"I really feel excited about the potential this development represents for local communities".
Eluned Lewis, Community Liaison Officer for the Nant y Moch wind farm development.
As part of the FCW contract to develop SSA D Nant y Moch Wind Farm, SSE Renewables is committed to implementing a wide ranging Community Impact Strategy (CIS) that will include a substantive consultation programme and a package of community benefits.
The community benefit package inlcudes:
An early release one-off payment prior to commissioning of £3,000/MW for energy efficiency measures
Payments through the life of the wind farm of £2,000/MW per annum
Additional annual payments throughout the life of the wind farm of 2.5% of the ROC recycle income
The above package equates to a £420,000 initial payment before construction. As the installed capacity of the wind farm is expected to be at least 140MW, this will equate to at least £280,000 in community benefit funding per year and will be payable throughout the operational life of the wind farm, which is 25 years.
The total community benefit package equates to about £7.5million over the expected lifetime of the project plus a yearly amount based on the output of the wind farm.
The community benefits of the scheme would provide a considerable injection of funding into the Nant y Moch area with the potential for further match funding from other sources. This community investment programme could rejuvenate the rural economy and community spirit, and make a significant contribution to rural regeneration in Ceredigion.
The Community Liaison Group will inform the development and delivery mechanism of the Community Benefits package for the Nant y Moch Wind Farm:
The Community Liaison Group is currently discussing potential benefits streams and CLG member organisations are engaging with their members and wider community on different themes of focus and what types of projects could benefit from community funding within these themes.
| Community Benefit Component | Details | Possible Total out of 5 |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Renewable Energy Education Package Sustainable Energy Assessments of local schools and community Buildings. Interactive Welsh language web site for school children and teachers called Greenzone / Ardal Werdd. Specialist Education Officer (part-time) funded by SSE Renewables to provide dedicated energy education within selected local schools. Educational Renewable installations for state schools within principally affected community areas. |
Full Education and awareness programme to be drawn up as part of Community Engagement Plan. | |
| 2. Offer and Facilitation of Community Ownership Subject to the conditions of the FC lease, SSE Renewables will make available for purchase by the local community, at fair value, either a turbine or an equivalent value of shares, once the wind farm has been commissioned |
Community Share Offer. | |
| 3. Carbon Reduction Funds SSE Renewables proposals include local Energy Action Plans and funding support for sustainable energy projects including biomass heat. |
To be developed in partnership with communities and regeneration organisations. | |
| 4. Benefits Directly Linked to Community Use of Forestry Options include mountain bike trail provision, rights of way improvement and support for community management groups, woodland access and forest school initiatives |
Proposals to be developed in partnership with FCW, local communities and the Community Liaison Group. | |
| 5. Benefits Directly to Communities Options include village hall restoration; further education grants, small grants fund |
Proposals to be developed in partnership with local communities and the Community Liaison Group | |
| 6. Further Suggestions |
Have your say: Do you live near the area of the Nant y Moch Wind Farm? How would you think the community benefits funding should be channelled in order to maximise local community benefits? Do you know of any projects in the area which could benefit?
If so then please let us know by completeing out contact form.
Following Planning Consent (if awarded) a Community Benefits Trust will be set up. Trustees will be appointed and the broad package of community benefits funding will be enshrined within the constitution of the Trust including themes and amount of spend.
The Trust Fund Constitution will be subject to Welsh Assembly Government Ministerial approval and thereafter a yearly review clause within the Trust Fund Constitution will enable changes to the funding package with regards the themes of spend if so required. Any changes would be subject to approval and sign off by a Welsh Assembly Government Minister.
SSE Renewables will also be seeking to ensure that members of the local communities will, at fair value, be able to invest in the purchase of a wind turbine once the wind farm has been commissioned. Community ownership will allow the direct financial benefits of the wind farm to filter through to the local communities.
Wider Economic Benefits
SSE Renewables will favour Welsh suppliers wherever possible. Indeed it is already doing so through, for example, the employment of a local Welsh-speaking CLO, the retention of staff at Dulas Ltd (a renewable energy consultancy based in Machynlleth) for wind farm design and planning, and the use of Melin Cyf (a subsidiary of Strata Matrix, the well established local PR consultancy based in Aberystwyth). In these and other ways developmental investments of over £2m have already been made into the local and wider Welsh economy.