Community Benefits
As well as contributing to the UK’s growing renewable energy generation, Tallentire Wind Farm has provided significant local economic benefits with over £2.1 million spent locally to date. During the civil works, 25% of the workforce employed on site came from the local area. In addition, contracts were set up with local catering and cleaning companies. All the stone and concrete used during the construction process was sourced from local suppliers and local drivers utilised to deliver materials to the site. The balance of the workforce at Tallentire lived locally during the working week, creating significant revenue for local accommodation providers. For the 25 year lifetime of the project RES anticipates to spend locally in the region of £8.6 million, of which £3.9 million will be paid to the local council in business rates.
RES’ commitment to community benefits at Tallentire Wind Farm will see over £1.5 Million available in the local area throughout the lifetime of the wind farm. This is split between the Tallentire Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund and RES’ innovative Local Electricity Discount Scheme (LEDS).
Community Benefit Fund
The Tallentire Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund has been established to fund not for profit or charitable activities for local communities located close to the Tallentire Wind Farm. The fund has been set up to benefit the parishes of Bridekirk, Blindcrake, Gilcrux, and Plumbland. Managed by Cumbria Community Foundation, the Tallentire Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund provides grants to support community, educational or environmental activities. Applications are assess by an Advisory Panel made up of local people and supported by Cumbria Community Foundation. The was established with £175,000 in 2013, and a further £20,833 is available annually for the lifetime of the wind farm.
Information on how to submit an application can be found on the Cumbria Community Foundation website here.
Enquiries regarding Tallentire Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund should be directed in the first instance to:
Annalee Holliday, Cumbria Community Foundation
Tel: 01900 825760
Email: annalee@cumbriafoundation.org
LEDS
The Local Electricity Discount Scheme (LEDS) has been developed by RES as a new form of benefit for communities hosting its wind farms. The scheme is open to all residential, business and community buildings (including schools, places of worship and village halls) within the eligible area. Eligible properties must have their own electricity meter with a unique Meter Point Administration Number in existence on 22nd May 2013 (Tallentire Wind Farm LEDS launch date).
LEDS at Tallentire is offering people living and working within two kilometres of the six-turbine wind farm an annual discount of £108 off their electricity bill. RES made the first LEDS payment at Tallentire Wind Farm in May 2014