Invenergy will invest £14m in East Ayrshire communities over the lifetime of its Pencloe wind farm.
The clean energy developer has signed a legal agreement with The 9CC Group to deliver the community benefit funding across 35 years of operation.
The package includes an advance payment of £400,000 in two instalments, with £70,000 earmarked for local apprenticeships.
Invenergy’s first £200,000 contribution has already supported projects such as expanding the CORE Community Electric Car Club into New Cumnock and the Doon Valley, and improving local facilities including New Cumnock Working Men’s Club, Glenafton FC and New Cumnock Bowling Club.
Stuart Winter, vice president and UK country manager at Invenergy, said: “As a long term partner to the communities we operate in, Invenergy is fully committed to the Cumnock and Doon Valley neighbourhood and we recognise that wind farm benefit funding decisions should be made collectively and democratically by those communities, for their communities.”
Stephen McCarron, chief operating officer of The 9CC Group, said: “We have worked closely with Invenergy, who have sought to go beyond industry Good Practice Principles and deliver significant funding for our communities from the outset.”
Invenergy’s 18-turbine, 81MW Pencloe project will provide £5000 per MW of installed capacity annually, totalling more than £400,000 a year.
The company has applied to add five turbines to the site, which would increase the value of the fund proportionally.
Alex Baird, chair of The 9CC Group, said: “Invenergy’s commitment to our communities goes far beyond any legal or statutory requirement and will make a huge difference both in terms of creating a lasting legacy and for funding so many of the wonderful local groups who are making a positive difference.”