Community
Ørsted is dedicated to being an active partner in the communities where we develop, build, operate and own green energy assets such as onshore wind farms. In Scotland, we offer a community benefit programme to support communities close to our wind farm sites and are keen to back local community projects wherever we can.
Community benefit fund
Every year over the lifetime of Larbrax Wind Farm, Ørsted will pay £5,000 per megawatt of installed wind energy into a community benefit fund - equating to approximately £3.5million over the lifetime of the wind farm once operational. We want to consult the people who live and work near our projects to ensure that community benefit funds support those initiatives that are of most value to local people.
Community ownership
Ørsted also offers local communities surrounding our onshore wind projects the opportunity to own part of the project. By owning a part of Scotland’s green energy supply, local people have the chance to benefit directly over the long-term benefits onshore wind energy brings. If the community were eager to explore community ownership options, Ørsted would offer the opportunity to purchase a stake in the Larbrax Wind Farm.
Education and skills
Skills and training are a vital part of Scotland’s transition to a green economy that is powered by renewable energy. We will support skills development and local job opportunities as we develop Larbrax Wind Farm. In 2014, the Larbrax Wind Farm Skills Fund was announced as part of the original Larbrax Wind Farm, which we wish to continue. Ørsted hopes to work with Dumfries and Galloway College to explore educational opportunities in the energy sector – helping to reinforce the College's existing offering in Stranraer and bridging local skills gaps.
