A newly refurbished community centre cloakroom, new uniforms for the local school’s music band and equipment and activities for young people in the shooting team. These are among the activities that have been made possible thanks to the revenue from Hennøy wind farm.
The first call for projects distributed funds in March, awarding funds to seven community projects in and around Bremanger. And there is more to come!
In the Bremanger municipality we find the operational Hennøy Vindpark, developed by Renantis Norway AS (formerly Falck Renewables Norway AS). Not only does the wind farm provide tax revenue to the state and municipality – it also shares the revenue it generates with the local community in the form of a community benefit fund, managed by Hennøy VindForening. This association, run by an independent Board made up of local residents, distributes the community benefit funds generated by Hennøy Vindpark.
Gulen Skyttarlag, a local shooting team, was awarded funds to expand its activities for children and young people. “These funds mean that we can, among other things, buy modern equipment and recruit more young people to take part in our club activities. We are a small association with modest finances, so these funds mean an enormous amount to us”, says Inger Lise Hallsett, youth leader at Gulen Skyttarlag.
Soon time for more funds
“When we develop a wind farm, we always consider environmental elements in addition to social, technical and economical factors to ensure that we are delivering a project that really contributes to our purpose – to build a better future for all, by powering people’s everyday lives with care. We commit to sharing the value with the local communities around our wind farms in various ways, and establishing community benefit funds is a great way to ensure that our communities can see real benefit locally.” says Marco Asprone, Managing Director at Renantis Norway AS.
This is the first of three calls for projects where community groups and organisations can apply to be awarded funds from the community benefit fund run by Hennøy VindForening. The second call for projects closed on Thursday March 30. The following associations and groups have received funds:
- Svelgen Community Center – Renovating the cloakroom
- Svelgen School Band – Uniforms and recruitment initiatives
- 4H at Nesheim – Open day teaching history and nature skills to young people outdoors
- Hønnøystranda Bygdelag – Building on the quay and repairs for school buildings
- Gulen Skyttarlag – Teaching and training project for children
- Svelgen Turn and IF – Participation in National Championship
- ECCO Svelgen – Baking workshop and art day for children