Statkraft announces community fund for environmental projects in Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire

Statkraft, Europe’s largest renewable power generator, has announced a new community benefit fund that supports projects which address carbon reduction and help progress towards net zero climate targets.

The Neilston Greener Grid Park Community Fund is open now and will support community and environmental projects located within a 3km radius of the site, with the majority of the fund covering the Paisley South West ward, for the lifetime of the project.  Applications will be administered through GrantScape, a leading UK community fund administrator that has a track record of distributing over £90 million to nearly 1,500 projects.

• The fund has £20,000 available each year
• Applications are invited from eligible organisations that meet the criteria and are located within a 3km radius of the project
• There is one application round each year, and additional rounds may be established if all of the funds are not allocated
• The minimum grant that groups can apply for is £500
• Applications can be made for funding of up to £20,000

Greener Grid Parks are pioneering projects, which increase the stability of the electricity grid, and allow more renewable energy to be transmitted through the network. Neilston Greener Grid Park is currently under construction and is expected to be completed in the Winter.

Statkraft operates two Greener Grid Parks, including Keith, in Moray. The Keith Greener Grid Park fund awarded its first grants in October 2023. A local group received a grant to support the purchase of a new solar panel and battery storage, and a community hall was awarded support to help with the replacement of emergency lighting.

The first closing date for this new fund is 26 April 2024, with final decisions reached on its allocation in June. A local fund panel will be established with community representatives from within the area to help prioritise which applications are to be supported. 

Applications can be made via the online portal. 

Applicants are also welcome to call Grantscape directly on 01908 247630 if they wish to discuss a potential project or need any help on how to apply.

Councillor Lorraine Cameron, Provost of Renfrewshire, said: “I warmly welcome the establishment of this new community fund, and encourage eligible groups and organisations in the local area to apply for support. Renfrewshire Council is committed to meeting our net zero targets, so schemes like Neilston Greener Grid Park are welcome, as is Statkraft’s commitment to being a good neighbour and bringing added benefits to communities in which they operate.”

Guy Nicholson, Statkraft’s Head of Greener Grid Parks said: “Statkraft always seeks to bring additional benefits to the communities in which we work, and so I’m pleased that this new fund is now in place to support projects located near to the development site. I want to encourage local organisations and groups to apply and look forward to seeing the many ways in which this find will bring real benefits to the community.”