A million pound fund has been launched on one of Scotland’s most famous islands thanks to money generated from Highland onshore wind.
SSE Renewables announced the opening of the Isle of Skye community fund today, aimed at transforming isolated areas through community investment.
The £1 million pot is thanks to money generated from SSE’s Stronelairg, Bhlaraidh, Dunmaglass and Strathy North wind farms.
The last funding round saw 18 projects share more than a million pounds.
SSE Renewables launch event was held at Sleat Community Trust’s Hub on the island, a former recipient of the fund.
The hub received £80,000 from the £1.2m pot in 2018.
Morven Smith, head of SSE Renewables’ Community Investment, said: “It’s great to be here to launch the fourth round of the Sustainable Development fund and see just what our funds can help communities achieve.
“We’re very proud of the work the Sustainable Development Fund has already achieved in the Highlands and Islands and look forward to working more with these communities to help develop and deliver projects that can bring a real difference to the community, just like Sleat’s Community shop.”
In August, a review carried out by SSE Renewables, the developer of the 84-turbine Beatrice Offshore Wind Farm, showed the company has invested more than £4.5 million across the Highlands and Islands and the north-east.
It has provided over £6.6 million in support for community projects across UK as a whole between April 1, 2018 and March 31, 2019.
Stronelairg, a 66 turbine wind farm near Fort Augustus, generated more than £600,000 for the fund, while the Bhlaraidh wind farm north-west of Invermoriston produced £511,000.
This most recent funding round is the fourth SSE has held since its Highland wind projects started generating power.
Mike Shucksmith of Sleat Community Trust added: “The Sustainable Development Fund has provided the trust with both revenue and capital funds making it a flexible grant award.”
SSE Renewables said the deadline for applications to be received is January 15 2020.
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