Local people and communities across West Lothian have now benefited to the tune of almost £1 million thanks to the power of wind.
Cash from ScottishPower Renewables community funding puts money directly into the hands of local communities and empowers them to make decisions and allocate the funds in the way that will have the greatest impact locally.
Across West Lothian, ScottishPower’s community benefit funds have helped enhance community facilities and services, deliver education programmes and skills development, fund net zero initiatives – and much, much more.
Examples include funding to the Greenrigg Community Woodland Project by Central Scotland Green Network Trust for the creation of a network of community woodland paths within a woodland in Greenrigg, including the planting of new trees and creation of paths.
Match-funding was also provided for the provision of an Outreach Counsellor for SMILE Counselling to provide counselling services in the local community for young people aged 16 to 24 years.
The money is provided through dedicated Community Benefit Funds at the company’s Black Law windfarm and extensions.
ScottishPower’s onshore windfarms produce enough clean, green electricity to power the equivalent of millions of homes every year, with the community funding extending the benefits of these projects far beyond their positive environmental impact.
The one thing these, and other funded projects, have in common is that the priorities for the windfarm funds and how they are spent are all set locally by those who know best what will make the most difference for them.
Barry Carruthers, Onshore Managing Director at ScottishPower Renewables, said: “At ScottishPower, making a difference for people and communities is at the heart of everything we do. I’m really proud that we don’t only power our communities – we empower them too – and it’s amazing to see the projects our funding is supporting across West Lothian.
“It is, in many cases, able to bring about real change and shows the incredible added value our funding can bring to local projects. They are genuinely creating a legacy on many levels and that’s testament to our way of working, which is all about being a good neighbour and helping us all enjoy a better future, quicker.”
Gillian Arnot, Senior Community Liaison Officer, added: “One of the most exciting elements of how we work with our local communities is that we’re here from start to finish – for 20 years-plus – so we get to see the tangible outcomes of our funding first-hand. Whether that’s improving accessibility to local facilities and services, or creating usable and sustainable community spaces – every penny and pound of that almost £1 million really counts for the people and communities of West Lothian.
“And, what’s even more exciting, is that there’s still lots more to come. I can’t wait to see what our communities will do next!”
Details on all ScottishPower windfarms can be found at www.scottishpowerrenewbles.com.
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