ScottishPower Renewables is encouraging communities to identify and deliver sustainable initiatives with the community benefit funds they receive from our operational windfarms, helping their local community to reduce their carbon footprint.

In the run up to COP26, we launched a Net Zero Community Benefit Challenge for communities that are eligible to apply to our community benefit funds. We invited them to tell us about the Net Zero initiatives they are looking to deliver and to have a chance of receiving up to £5,000 to help fund their project.

ScottishPower Renewables is delighted to announce that we awarded funds to two applicants to the Net Zero Community Benefit Challenge, the Glencairn Memorial Institute Committee and Stoneykirk Community Council.  

The Glencairn Memorial Institute Committee was awarded £5,000 for energy efficiency upgrades to their hall. These upgrades will include the installation of an electric boiler which will be powered by solar PV. This will help to renovate this valued community building, which is regularly used by a wide range of local groups, in a sustainable manner.

The Glencairn Memorial Institute Committee have said: “The GMI is a much loved and used town hall and war memorial. As a charity the committee work extremely hard to maintain the hall but as with all buildings, modernisation is needed. We are delighted that ScottishPower Renewables has granted the GMI £5,000 towards new energy efficiency measures such as insulation and heating systems. It is a fantastic helping hand towards the ongoing renovations helping to future proof the hall for generations to come.”

An additional sum of £1,000 was awarded to Stoneykirk Community Council for the Sandhead Community Friendship Garden. The garden aims to grow and sell local produce as a sustainable local resource and promote community spirit. This award will contribute towards the costs to install a permanent water supply to the gardens and to install new raised beds for flowers and vegetables.

The Stoneykirk Community Council hopes that these improvements will encourage more people to experience and use the community garden, including school children. This will improve health and wellbeing in the area, encouraging the sharing of skills and experience across generations within the community while producing sustainable local produce.