UK Energy Minister’s support for coal-mining communities
The future of wind farm development and the strategic impact of community benefit was debated with the UK Energy Minister in Ochiltree.
The high-level discussions, organised by The 9CC Group, heard from leading developers and local politicians, including Lillian Jones MP, Elaine Stewart MP and councillor Drew Filson, Stephen McCarron Chief Operating Officer of the 9CC Group and East Ayrshire Council’s Head of Economic Growth David McDowall.
It was also an opportunity to showcase the community hub which is supported by a community benefit grant from the 9CCG as well as their funding of an apprenticeship partnership with local employers EGGER.
A visit was facilitated to Pencloe Wind Farm by Invenergy. The minister was able to visit the operational turbines and see the energy generation first hand. The Pencloe Wind Farm site comprises 18 wind turbines, which will generate 81MW of clean energy. The wind farm’s community benefit fund is £5,000 per megawatt (MW) of installed capacity per annum, resulting in over £400,000 being made available every year. This equates to £14m over the project’s lifetime to the 9CCG.
The Minister, Michael Shanks MP attended the roundtable discussions with 9CCG chair Alex Baird, treasurer Tony Esquierdo and secretary Rae Smith. Developers On-Path Energy, Brockwell Energy, Invenergy and TAG Energy were represented by Sustainability and Environment Director Robin Winstanley, Development Director Iain Cockburn, VP and UK Manager Stuart Winter and UK Development Project Manager Vasiliki McArtur respectively.
Mr Baird, who chaired the meeting, said: “It was fantastic to get Ministerial support for what we are all trying to achieve in Cumnock and Doon Valley as well as a listening ear to the issues highlighted by the communities and the developers.
“Once again there was a clear and resounding acknowledgement that we can only achieve a positive lasting legacy for all our communities by uniting collectively and collaboratively around a shared vision for a better future.
“Our constructive partnerships with developers who understand and support that vision is delivering enormous investment across across Auchinleck; Patna; Ochiltree & Skares; New Cumnock; Netherthird; Croberry, Logan & Lugar; Drongan, Rankinston & Stair; Dalmellington; and Cumnock.
