Crossdykes Wind Farm developer Muirhall Energy is set to bring superfast broadband to rural Dumfries and Galloway for the first time.
The Lanarkshire-based firm, which owns and operates wind farms throughout Scotland, has pledged £150,000 towards improving local broadband provision.
Set to benefit are the villages of Bankshill, Paddockhole and Corrie Common, as well as pupils at Tundergarth Primary School.
Muirhall Energy’s investment will cover installation costs, as well as pay the first six months’ subscription for all customers.
The renewables firm has also secured a three-year price freeze, meaning those taking advantage of the broadband will pay 2021 prices through to 2024.
It is expected that a total of 79 properties will initially be able to connect by the end of June, with plans already in place for extending superfast broadband coverage to the wider communities around the 46MW wind farm.
Superfast broadband will allow users to undertake tasks many of us take for granted, such as online education, streaming movies and music, and keeping in touch with family and friends.
The service will be delivered by fellow independent Scottish company, Briskona, who have worked closely with Muirhall to deliver the project.
Muirhall Energy project manager Jason Morin said: “Muirhall Energy aims to play a positive role in every community that we work in and we place that strong community involvement at the heart of everything that we do.
“We are constantly looking for ways to make a transformational impact, therefore we are delighted to be able to bring superfast broadband to the area.
“Locals will now be able to benefit from the significant investment we have made in laying fibre up to Crossdykes Wind Farm and we hope soon to extend this to the communities surrounding our Hopsrig and Loganhead projects.”