Statkraft hits million-pound milestone for Alltwalis Wind Farm community fund

Statkraft, Europe’s largest generator of renewable energy, has announced that the community fund associated with its Alltwalis Wind Farm, has now awarded over £1 million to clubs, societies, and organisations in the Llanfihangel-ar-Arth area. 
 
Alltwalis Wind Farm, which became operational in 2009, and powers the equivalent of 16,500 homes with clean, home-grown renewable energy, is sited near the Brechfa Forest, to the north of Carmarthenshire, South Wales. 
 
The fund is available throughout the 25-year lifetime of the wind farm for initiatives that will benefit the local community, with an annual sum that rises annually in line with any increases in the retail price index. 
 
Projects that have been supported with grants in 2022 include the renovation of Alltwalis school as a community facility, funding equipment for the lunch club at Pencader Tabernacl Vestry, installing picnic tables and a communication board at the Pavilion in Pencader, and support for the Cylchoedd Meithrin (early years playgroups) at Llanllwni and Pencader, which was the initiative that took the fund over the million-pound line. 
 
The fund is managed independently of Statkraft, led by local residents who meet four times per year to consider applications. Its aims include funding activities and projects that create a vibrant community, including those with a focus on environmental, educational, and community improvement projects, including outdoor activities. 
 
Organisations based within the Llanfihangel-ar-Arth area are eligible to apply for grants from the fund, with closing dates for the four application periods during 2023 on 31 January, 18 April, 27 June, and 3 October. Applicants should contact the fund administrator Meinir Evans on 01559 395 669 or meinir.evans@btinternet.com  for further information. 
 
Glyn Griffiths, Statkraft’s Site Manager at Alltwalis, says: “We’re delighted that the local community continues to benefit from the fund set up when Alltwalis was built, over a decade ago. It is important that as well as providing clean, green, renewable energy, that Statkraft is a good neighbour, and that those living near our sites directly benefit, and so I’m proud that we have been able to support so many worthy causes and initiatives in the local area.” 
 
Dewi Thomas, Chair, Alltwalis Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund says: “This milestone feels like an opportunity to take stock and look back at the diverse range of projects supported since the fund was set up; from distributing fresh food during the pandemic, supporting young carers to take a break from their duties, and helping to fund a new minibus for a local canoe club. This money continues to make a real difference to the people who live and work in our local community.”