Location

Aberdeenshire Council Area- approximately 7km north west of the village of Alford

Status

Scoping Report submitted October 2023 to the Scottish Government Energy Consents Unit under reference ECU00004951.

Project benefits

OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL BUSINESS
Aside from its wider socio-economic and environmental benefits wind power is compatible with other land uses and can provide a boost for rural economic diversification.
Force 9 Energy and EDF Renewables UK are committed to giving local businesses every possible opportunity to share in the financial and employment benefits of the construction and operation of Correen Hills wind farm. If constructed, Correen Hills will offer opportunities for local businesses such as accommodation providers, hire companies, fencing contractors, tradespeople and machinery plant owners. If you represent a local business, please contact us and we will register your interest and keep you informed about valuable opportunities for local businesses connected with the wind farm.
By way of example, for EDF Renewables UK’s Fallago Ring wind farm, near Duns in the Scottish Borders, strong relationships were forged with the local supply chain during the development phase. This enabled local businesses to win contracts worth £10m during the design and construction phase. This included suppliers and contractors supplying transport and plant, as well as support and accommodation services.

COMMUNITY BENEFIT
Force 9’s development partner, EDF Renewables UK, is committed to paying community benefit at the Scottish Government recommended rate: currently at a value equivalent to £5,000 per mega watt of installed capacity, for every year of operation (anticipated to be 30 years) to help fund community projects. For illustrative purposes, if a 72MW wind farm is constructed, this would be worth £360k per year (index linked) for local communities, for each year of operation – a total of up to £15million over the project’s lifetime.
The Community Benefit Fund would be administered by a third party in which a local Community Liaison Group would be formed to decide how the monies are spent. The funds would be available for a variety of local good causes and, subject to certain guidelines, it would be up to the local community as to how best to distribute the available funds.

SHARED OWNERSHIP
EDF Renewables UK and Force 9 Energy are providing the opportunity for communities in the area to consider a share in the ownership of the Correen Hills wind farm.
Force 9 and EDF Renewables UK will liaise closely with interested community groups on this opportunity. Community ownership has the potential to fund significant long term ‘legacy’ projects, galvanise communities and build their capacity to grow and develop.