Carscreugh Renewable Energy Park HOME NEWS PROJECT BACKGROUND SITE INFORMATION HOW A TURBINE WORKS TIMESCALE BENEFITS CONTACT US Benefits Carscreugh Renewable Energy Park Ltd is committed to ensuring that local communities are given the opportunity to benefit significantly from the wind farm on Carscreugh Fell by participating in its success, working in partnership to deliver tangible long-term economic, social and environmental benefits for the area. Examples of some of these benefits are outlined below: Community benefit Community benefit is a voluntary contribution made by a developer for the benefit of communities within the vicinity of a wind farm development. Carscreugh Renewable Energy Park is keen to see local communities benefiting from the project and has committed an index linked annual payment of £38,250 for 25 years – the lifespan of the wind farm – to community benefit. An understanding was reached with Old Luce Community Council in 2005/2006 on community benefit which predated any policy from Dumfries and Galloway Council on this matter. While it was agreed then that Old Luce Community Council would fully benefit, in recognition of current Council policy on the matter they have agreed for the fund to be divided as follows over the lifespan of the wind farm (index linked): • Old Luce Community Council – 70% of the fund – £26,775 annually • New Luce Project Group – 6% of the fund – £2,295 annually • Kirkcowan Community Council – 6% of the fund – £2,295 annually • Cree Valley Community Council – 6% of the fund – £2,295 annually • Stoneykirk Community Council – 6% of the fund – £2,295 annually • Port William & District Community Council – 6% of the fund – £2,295 annually It is up to these local communities to decide how the funds are managed and spent. Employment and contractor opportunities There will be a positive impact on local employment and contract opportunities during construction which will benefit the local economy. Around 40 people will be employed on site preparation and infrastructure works, rising to around 70 for delivery of the wind turbines. There will also be additional benefits to other businesses in the area, such as aggregate supply and accommodation. Environmental The wind farm is expected to produce enough electricity to meet the annual average household needs of around 9,100 homes*, equivalent to approximately 13% of all homes in Dumfries and Galloway**. This will go some way towards Scotland meeting the target of generating the equivalent of 100% of its electricity demand from renewable energy sources by 2020***. The clean green electricity generated each year is also expected to displace around 16,700 tonnes of the harmful carbon dioxide emissions produced through burning fossil fuels in order to generate electricity, contributing to combating climate change, the most urgent environmental challenge facing the planet****. An environmental clerk of works will also be onsite ensuring that the developer complies with the highest environmental standards throughout the construction process. * Based on an average annual UK household electricity consumption of 4,266kWh (kilowatt hours) and wind farm load factor of 29% (DECC, January 2013) ** National Records of Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway Council Area – Demographic Factsheet (December 2012) *** Scottish Government, 2020 Renewable Routemap for Scotland – Update (October 2012) **** Based on 430g/kWh CO2 produced within the energy mix in the UK (DECC, June 2005) Carscreugh Renewable Energy Park · Providing details on the construction of a wind farm on Carscreugh Fell, near Glenluce Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. Follow