A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed last week [Friday 23rd June] between Knockkippen Wind Farm Ltd and a local community trust, that could see an annual community benefit fund of up to the equivalent of £300,000, should the project be consented.
The funds will be split between two community trusts, with 89% going to the nine communities around Knockkippen via the 9 Community Council Group (9CC Group).
The remainder is being made available to the East Ayrshire Coalfield Communities Landscape Partnership (EACCLP) to support its legacy projects.
The 9CC Group – now a fully incorporated community trust – will be responsible for disbursing the community funds from the Knockkippen Wind Farm community benefit fund.
The community benefit fund is expected to kick in once the wind farm is operational, expected towards the end of 2026.
Speaking on behalf of the developer, Naturalis Energy Developments Limited, Project Manager Tim Mockridge said, “This MoU recognises the hard work that the local communities – and East Ayrshire Council – have put in, to set up the 9CC Group: a new community trust that will disburse many millions of pounds generated by the wind farms in this area. It’s a great example of best practice that other communities that host wind farms across Scotland can learn from, from cooperating across administrative boundaries, to ensuring that benefits are delivered directly to communities.”
Erin Murchie, Community Relations Manager for Renantis – the company that will own and operate the wind farm, should it be consented – said, “We look forward to a close and productive working relationship with the 9CC Group and its communities, working together to maximise the benefit to the communities, deliver real value to people within these communities and leave a long-lasting legacy.”
Speaking on behalf of the 9CCG, Alex Baird, Chair said, “We are now seeing the benefits of nine community councils working together. Community benefit from the wind farms that are being – and will be built – in the area, has the potential to help transform all of our nine local communities. We look forward to signing a similar MOU for the consented Greenburn wind farm, as well as with other developers. Local communities will be able to identify their project priorities and communities will be able to work together to develop projects which will benefit more than one community council area”.
Stephen McCarron, 9CCG Chief Operating Officer, commented “I am pleased to say that all the developers who have received planning permission for their projects are happy to work with the 9CCG. And we have developed a positive working relationship with East Ayrshire Council and the East Ayrshire Coalfields Community Landscape Project. We look forward to many much-needed projects being developed.”
Colin McKee of EACCLP, Heritage Projects Coordinator at East Ayrshire Council, said, “It is great to know that when the EACCLP finishes in 2025, the 9CCG will be able to take projects forward into a new era.”