RWE has invested £25m over the past 20 years into communities that live near its UK renewables projects.
The investments, from Community Benefit Funds set up by RWE alongside its operational onshore and offshore wind farms, will invest an additional £70m in support of local initiatives, throughout their lifetime.
The Community Benefit funds are made available in local areas which surround RWE’s renewable energy projects and are provided to, and managed directly by, local independent organisations.
Examples of grassroots projects funded by RWE’s community funds are spread across the UK.
In Wales Brechfa Forest West Wind Farm has made available over £80,000 to Dolen Teifi, a community transport organisation close to the wind farm.
The project was created by volunteers from local enterprise groups to provide sustainable and environmentally friendly transport for local people.
The funds have supported the purchase of a five-seater, fully disability-accessible electric vehicle, as well as training for community members, and provision of three new local electric vehicle charging points.
In England a grant of £10,000 has helped to support Pedal People, in the vicinity of Rampion offshore wind farm.
The group consists of volunteer cyclists who ride out together with elder care residents, helping them to enjoy valuable time in the outdoors.
In Scotland an education and training fund is supported by Bad a Cheo wind farm.
It is open to residents living closest to the wind farm and aims to build skills and increase job opportunities.
To date, it has invested nearly £50,000 in the local area.
The fund provides bursaries to help local people access training and education opportunities that better equip them with the skills required to enter into, or retain, employment.
Thirty-five local people have received funding towards courses as diverse as childcare, sign language, deer stalking, welding inspection, accountancy and kilt making, or to assist them with costs whilst completing university education.