Neart na Gaoithe (NnG) offshore wind farm is launching a Community Benefit Fund which will be in place for the 25-year lifespan of the wind farm, located 15.5 kilometres off the east coast of Scotland.
In an innovative move by the project, NnG is taking a phased approach to fund distribution. This will mean that communities who experienced significant impact during the project's construction, including during the creation of the onshore substation, will be prioritised for the first three years. The distribution model will then be reviewed in year three. This approach creates meaningful impact for the communities of East Lammermuir, the coastal communities of Berwickshire and the East Neuk of Fife who are closest to the onshore and offshore elements of the NnG project.
NnG, which is owned by EDF power solutions UK and ESB, has appointed Foundation Scotland, the leading community foundation charity in Scotland, to lead engagement with local communities, develop a fund strategy and manage administration of the £6.75 million fund.
The Fund has been set at £270,000 per year for the 25-year lifetime of the project. Comprehensive discussions have taken place with local community groups in May to provide an understanding of the how the fund will work and how NnG's neighbours can benefit from it. The fund will focus on activity that brings benefit to the communities closest to the wind farm's operations. The fund is evidence of NnG's continued commitment to supporting these communities and follows on from the awards of local sponsorships and grants totalling more than £65,000 since 2023.
NnG, located 15.5km off the coast of Fife, became fully operational in July and consists of 54 wind turbines generating up to 450MW of clean, green electricity - enough to power around 375,000* homes. NnG will offset over 400,000* tonnes of CO2 emissions each year.
The project has directly contributed more than £205 million to the economy through work with local businesses including more than 50 suppliers based in and around Scotland during the wind farm's construction. This includes Forth Ports at the Port of Dundee, Perth-based civil engineering firm I&H Brown, Briggs Marine in Burntisland and Inverkeithing-based Muir Construction Ltd. This is in addition to multiple smaller businesses such as cleaning companies, caterers and hoteliers.
Piero Maggio, Director of Asset Operations at EDF power solutions, , commented: "We have worked closely with the communities around NnG for a number of years and we are proud to now launch the Community Benefit Fund for the project. It is another significant milestone as we look to continue our commitment to supporting the communities who have played a key role in and around the project.
"The Fund will ensure that the communities benefit for the 25-year lifespan of the wind farm which builds on the high-quality, local jobs based at our Operations and Maintenance Base in Eyemouth and the continued support for local community projects."
Rachel Searle, Foundation Scotland's Head of Communities and Impact, said: "As Scotland's most experienced community benefit administrator we're delighted to be able to bring our knowledge, learning and expertise into NnG's Community Benefit Fund. Community benefit practice for offshore wind farms is evolving and EDF power solutions UK and ESB are at the forefront of emergent and innovative practice. Together with NnG and local communities we've sought to balance the principles of prioritising communities most affected by the project whilst also taking account of differing community contexts. We are building on established and trusting relationships already in place with some of the communities, and making sure NnG funds complement community plans, ambitions and other local funding. That's why we've designed a combination of different community benefit arrangements within the NnG Community Benefit Fund, which will evolve over time. "
For further information about the NnG Community Benefit Fund visit www.foundationscotland.org.uk
* Based upon the average domestic electricity consumption per home of 3,889 kWh per the energy consumption in the UK (published July 2017) and Renewable-UK offshore wind average load factor at 37.2%.
Further enquiries
Ruth Shewan - EDF power solutions UK 07384 530257
