Call to put communities at the heart of wind farm schemes

NEWS RELEASE

16 February 2011

Regen SW has today welcomed a new wind industry commitment to benefit local communities as a step in the right direction.

The new commitment is set out in a protocol for wind developers “A Community Commitment – The Benefits of Onshore Wind” published by industry trade body RenewableUK. The protocol specifies that developers should make a £1,000 minimum payment per year per megawatt of installed wind power during the lifetime of the wind farm.

Regen SW has been encouraging the wind industry in the south west to consider financial benefits for local communities from projects since it published the “South West Public Engagement Protocol for Wind Energy” in 2004.
Cheryl Hiles, executive director at Regen SW, comments:
This protocol from RenewableUK is a positive step towards recognition by the wind industry as a whole of the vitally important role that local communities play in wind development. It sets a minimum standard all wind developers should meet.

Cheryl continues:

We now need to support the most pioneering industry members, many of which are based down here in the south west, who are developing innovative approaches which offer far greater levels of community benefit and involvement, opening up a real opportunity for local communities to drive forward their own wind energy schemes.

Regen SW is working with some of these local partners on a ground-breaking initiative, Communities for Renewables, to develop an innovative new business model for community renewables. This initiative will help to ensure that local communities can drive forward their own commercially-viable renewable energy projects in partnership with experts and secure their fair share of the scheme's profits.

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NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. For more information on Communities for Renewables visit http://www.regensw.co.uk/projects/communities-for-renewables
2. Regen SW is a not for profit company working to enable business, local authorities and other organisations to deliver renewable energy and energy efficiency and build a prosperous low-carbon economy in the south west of England. www.regensw.co.uk
3. To read the community benefit protocol visit www.bwea.com
4. For further information or to interview Cheryl Hiles - Please contact Hazel Williams, senior analyst at Regen SW on 01392 494399 or hwilliams@regensw.co.uk