Community Windpower has launched two funds totalling over £11m linked to the 61MW Aikengall 2 and 31MW Sanquhar wind farms in Scotland.
Aikengall 2 will deliver £7.5m over the lifetime of the project, while Sanquhar will provide £3.75m.
The first £45,500 from the Aikengall 2 fund has been handed over to the Preston and Abbey St Bathans Community Trust team and is now open for applications.
Community Windpower set up the trust with Preston and Abbey St Bathans Community Council and is one of the five host community councils that will receive an equal share of the £250,000 annual funding from the wind farm.
Trust chair Wendy Reid said: “We are delighted that we have now reached this important stage in the benefit cycle and look forward to working with Community Windpower – this cash injection will kick start the village hall project and allow the ambitions of the community to be fulfilled.
“The fund is now open via our website and we welcome applications from community groups or individuals from our local area to carry out projects that will benefit the wider community or provide environmental improvements.”
The first £43,000 donation has also been made to the Upper Nithsdale Community Trust from the Sanquhar project.
Beneficiaries include Kirkconnel Miners Memorial Hall, Kirkconnel Parish Heritage Society, Crawick and Nithsdale Wheelers Cycle Club, Nith United FC and Friend of Clarks Little Ark.
Community Windpower director Rob Fryer said: “We are delighted that the Trust is now up and running and it is great to see that the wind farm via the Trust providing significant funding to local folk quickly.
“Since the construction, the wind farm has provided real economic benefits to the localarea and now during operation these have been extended via the Community benefit package delivered to our host communities through the Trust.
“Over the lifetime of the wind farm more than £3.75m will be donated to the Trust, providing a material and positive impact to the host communities; we are delighted to be instrumental in the investment into these communities and look forward to potentially adding further substantial investment if future phases of the wind farm are approved.”