Local Community Set to Receive a Share of Wind Power Revenue

OnPath Energy Press releases

Banks Group Renewables engaging with the local communityBanks Renewables is looking forward to hearing the views of local people on plans for a community partnership at its proposed Knockendurrick Wind Farm, near Twynholm at a series of public exhibitions to be held in the area.

The Hamilton-based renewables business will hold three exhibitions on 27th, 28th and 29th August to update members of the local community on plans for its proposed Knockendurrick Wind Farm, as well as further detail the proposed community partnership offer associated with the site.

The partnership secures for the communities 3% share of the annual gross revenue from the wind farm. This revenue can then be used by local groups, organisations and initiatives close to the heart of the community. In addition the community will have the opportunity to purchase up to 5% of the operating wind farm, should it be approved.

The revenue share alone, based on current estimates, would earn for the communities around £260,000 per year on average during the life of the wind farm, should the proposals go ahead; around £6.5M over the life of the wind farm.

Community Engagement

It is hoped that this partnership could result in more people actively participating in their community and helping to deliver exciting local projects, be this through their community council or a local development or community trust.

Colin Anderson, development director at Banks Renewables, said: “We are looking forward to hearing more from the local communities in regards to the proposed community partnership approach, as well as highlighting some of the benefits it could potentially bring.

“The design of the site has changed quite a lot since the exhibitions we held in March. The most notable thing is that we are now considering a seven turbine wind farm, with a capacity of 23.8MW and this has been as a direct result of comments received at the exhibitions, as well as all the technical and environmental factors that feed into the process.

“We want to create a wind farm that has the widest positive impact in terms of the community, environment and local economy and we believe with this Knockendurrick proposal that we can achieve that.

“At the exhibitions we will be showing a series of representations of the appearance of the proposed wind farm, as well as providing other important site facts and figures. Hopefully this will give people a really good understanding of the proposed Knockendurrick Wind Farm.

“With the finalisation of the Community Partnership proposals, people can also now consider the positive impacts this proposal could have in their area if approved.”

Exhibition Information

The three exhibitions will be held at Twynholm Village Hall on 27th August, Gateshouse of Fleet Community Centre on 28th August and Kirkcudbright Parish Church Hall, 29th August. All three will run from 3pm – 7pm.

An application for the Knockendurrick project is expected to be submitted to Dumfries and Galloway Council in September.

Banks Renewables has extensive experience of working in partnership with local communities across Scotland and the United Kingdom to successfully design and develop new energy schemes and deliver a range of local economic, social and environmental benefits, tailored to their individual community needs.

Equivalent projects by the firm have resulted in the creation of jobs and training initiatives, provision of community infrastructure, delivery of major environmental projects and direct funding into community groups.

The Banks Group (www.banksgroup.co.uk) is a family firm founded in 1976, which now employs 420 people in the renewable energy, property and mining sectors. The company’s “development with care” approach underpins all community consultation and seeks to deliver environmental excellence in all areas of our business.