Consultation opens on windfarm benefit

VIEWS are being sought on proposals to create a South of Scotland Standard for community benefits from onshore wind.

The South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) has recently launched a second round of engagement.

It is a key step in their Better Benefit project, which aims to ensure communities consistently receive the highest standard of community benefit from renewable energy developments.

They want to make best practice the norm across Dumfries and Galloway.

Independent analysis by BiGGAR Economics in 2023 found that onshore wind community benefit has delivered around £30m to South of Scotland communities to date, with up to £900m potentially being generated over the next 35 years.

The draft South of Scotland Standard includes nine key themes: high-quality community engagement from first point of contact; a standardised minimum community benefit payment; and transparency and accountability.

The consultation runs until February 16 and can be completed online at southofscotlandenterprise.com/Community-benefits-consultation

SOSE chair Russel Griggs said: “Community benefits belong to communities – and that’s the way it should be.

“Our interest is in ensuring that both community benefit and the wider economic contribution of renewables are as strong as possible.

“Our goal is for what is currently regarded as best practice to become standard practice right across our region. No community deserves less than that.”