RWE Renewables has committed $250,000 to over 45 US organisations where the company is operating, constructing or developing assets to assist in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Donations cover 11 states and target organisations, such as first responders, regional and local food banks and food pantries, social services for senior citizens and local schools with student food programmes.
The company said it reached out to state and local officials across its footprint to identify community needs.
RWE Renewables chief operating officer onshore wind and solar PV Americas Silvia Ortin (pictured) said: “We are grateful for the selfless dedication of first responders and healthcare professionals in the communities where RWE is working.
“We are committed to be a good neighbour and support those areas where we live, work and raise our children.
“Our commitment is to the health and safety of our employees and our partner company colleagues, their respective families as well as the communities in which they live.
“The support of our local communities is of vital importance for our projects to operate successfully, and we hope these donations will in turn help support those communities.”
RWE said it is committed to backing the communities it is part of during these unprecedented times.
The donation aims at providing targeted funds to the neighbouring communities in order for them to aid their local response to Covidd-19.
Ortin said: “We chose to focus on food banks and those organizations providing broad support for families who may need additional help, particularly those in mostly rural communities where our sites are located.
“We will continue our operations in a safe and responsible manner to contribute to supplying power for our country.
“At the same time, we will carry on our tradition to be a good neighbour and provide support to our host communities at this challenging time.”
Meanwhile, in the UK, Banks Renewables and the Kype Muir Community Panel have chosen three community groups in Scotland near the Kype Muir wind farm for extra funding for their villages during the Covid-19 outbreak.
The three groups – Stonehouse Coronavirus Community Support Group, the Strathaven and Glassford Community Council and Lesmahagow Community Council – will each receive £1000 from the wind farm’s community fund.
The money will support the groups’ efforts in areas such as providing much needed supplies to local food banks – and linking volunteers with vulnerable residents in need of food and essential supplies, prescriptions and tackling social isolation.
Banks Renewables community relations manager Jeannie Raine said: “These are unprecedented times – and we’re fortunate to be in a position to allocate serious funding to groups working to support the most vulnerable in their communities.
“This is about supporting our local projects and demonstrating the positive impact that Banks onshore wind farms can have in our local communities and I hope it will support many local residents during these difficult times.”