Innogy’s over 26MW Bad a Cheo wind farm in Scotland is now fully operational and supplying electricity to the grid.
The 26.65MW project, which is located at Achkeepster in Caithness, was consented in May 2014 and awarded a Contract for Difference in February 2015. It features 13 Senvion MM92 turbines.
Innogy head of onshore wind development UK Alex Meredith said: “Not only is Bad a Cheo wind farm a significant addition to Innogy Scotland’s renewables portfolio, as the cheapest form of green technology to consumers, new onshore wind has a crucial role to play in Scotland’s clean energy future.
“Innogy Scotland looks forward to working with the Scottish government and communities across Scotland to help reach net zero carbon by 2045 as we work together to address the climate emergency at the lowest cost.”
A community fund of £133,250 will be available each year for the operational lifetime of the project.
The fund has been calculated in line with the Scottish Government’s Good Practice Guidelines at the rate of £5000 per MW of installed capacity and payments will be index linked, Innogy said.
Innogy community investment manager Katy Woodington said: “We have spent a long time listening to what local people want, and with the agreement of Watten, Halkirk & District, and Lybster, Latheron and Clyth Community Councils we have appointed Foundation Scotland to administer the fund via their local officer Eilidh Coll.
“When surveyed, 73% of respondents to Innogy’s questionnaire about the fund supported a model where local people make decisions on the allocation of funds via a volunteer grants panel supported by an independent grant-making organisation.”