Community celebrates Berry Burn Wind Farm’s £2 million funding milestone

Local school parent teacher associations, Cairngorms Orchestra, First Forres Scout Group, a community mobile cinema, Friends of Craigellachie Bridge, and Moray Firth Credit Union, are just some of the many organisations to have received support from a Community Benefit Fund, linked to Berry Burn Wind Farm, which has hit a key funding milestone, a decade after it was established.

Developed and operated by Statkraft, Europe’s largest generator of renewable energy, Berry Burn Wind Farm is located south of Forres, Moray and became operational in 2014. The 29 wind turbines have a total capacity of 66.7MW, generating enough clean electricity to power the equivalent of around 48,000 homes.

A celebration was held in Logie Steading, south of Forres, to mark ten years of the fund, and over £2 million awarded to worthy local causes. Many of those who benefitted from its funding joined together to recognise its impact on local projects and initiatives, alongside the dedicated trustees who run the fund.

Clubs, societies, and groups based in Forres, East Nairnshire, Grantown on Spey, Cromdale and Advie, Speyside, Heldon, Findhorn and Kinloss, Finderne and Dyke Landward are eligible to apply for the £246,965 of funding which is available every year. It is managed independently of Statkraft, led by eleven local people and an administrator, who give their time on a voluntary basis, and meet three times each year to consider funding applications.

Since 2014, a third of the funds awarded (33%) have been invested in projects that enhance community outreach provisions, support mental health initiatives, and fund wellness programmes. Initiatives promoting physical activity, sports events, and improving outdoor play services have benefitted from 21% of the funding. Educational and environmental enhancements have received almost 20% of the total money distributed, with the remaining awards focussed on economic development, cultural preservation, and other initiatives, such as upgrading computer equipment.

With 15 years remaining in the current Berry Burn Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund, over £2.5 million is still available to support local projects and initiatives. This funding will continue to strengthen the community, promote sustainability, and improve the quality of life for residents within the designated area.

The application deadline for the next round of funding is 20 January 2025, with further funding rounds closing on 12 May and 15 September. Further information is available at www.berryburncommunityfund.co.uk.

Alex Ross, Vice Chair, Berry Burn Community Benefit Fund says: “We’ve come together to celebrate a significant milestone of £2 million awarded to worthy causes in the last decade. By investing in local organisations, initiatives, and groups, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of people who live and work in our community. I’d particularly like to thank the dedicated team who administer the fund so effectively and give up their time to do so voluntarily.”

Alison Hood, Statkraft’s Head of Engagement and Social Value, says: “We’re proud to be a good neighbour, and share the positive impact of our renewable projects with our local community. The wide-ranging and diverse range of organisations, projects, and initiatives supported during the last decade show the legacy that renewable projects like Berry Burn Wind Farm can leave. With another 15 years still to run, I’m excited to see what’s ahead.”