LOCAL BENEFITS
Overview
RES seeks to be a power for good in the communities that neighbour its projects by working openly and constructively to ensure tangible local benefits.
Some of the most direct and meaningful benefits that can be delivered from a project like Kintradwell are jobs and employment for local businesses and contractors, in addition to the use of local services and amenities, all of which can generate a significant amount of inward investment within the area.
Kintradwell is expected to deliver approximately £4 million of inward investment into the local area in the form of jobs, employment, and use of local services, and more information on this is provided below.
RES partners with local Brora firm to support local jobs
In December 2020, RES announced that it had signed an agreement with local firm Edward Mackay Contractor which gave them right of first offer on the civil construction work for the proposed scheme – helping to secure valuable local jobs and employment opportunities for local people should the project receive consent. Edward Mackay Contractor employs around 100 local staff from areas such as Brora, Golspie and Helmsdale, and has extensive wind farm experience.
Liam Mackay, Director, Edward Mackay Contractor said “All credit to RES for engaging with local businesses and for giving us the opportunity to get stuck into a project on our doorstep, should it proceed. The work that we are looking at is significant and could be a real boost for not only our business but the whole area, so we’re hoping that the community will get behind the project once it’s been submitted into planning.”
RES also committed to support a local apprentice at Edward Mackay Contractor. For more information please click here.
Involving the local supply-chain
RES is committed to ensuring that, wherever reasonably practicable, local contractors and employees are used in all aspects of wind farm development. The major opportunities arise during the construction phase when suitably qualified local firms are invited to bid for different aspects of construction, such as foundation laying and electrical works. Construction materials are normally sourced locally (i.e. within the county) and local transport and plant hire companies used wherever possible.
Sutherland, and the north Highlands in general, have a fantastic variety of businesses that have extensive experience and skills in wind farm development including local quarries, engineering firms, plant and crane hire, etc. As such, RES is keen to hear from local businesses who may be able to offer skills and services. Please contact us if you are a local business and would like to know more about opportunities for the local supply chain.
RES case studies
Expenditure in the local economy during the development, construction and operation of wind farms varies from project to project due to various factors including project size, project duration, and the availability of local suppliers. In recent years, RES has seen typical spend with local stakeholders, suppliers and service providers in the region of £279,000 per wind turbine during the development, construction and first year of project operation. In some cases, it has been possible to significantly improve on this number.
The case studies below help demonstrate RES’ commitment to working with the local supply chain and maximising inward investment wherever possible on its wind farm projects:
- Freasdail Wind Farm, Argyll and Bute
Freasdail wind farm on the Kintyre peninsula in Argyll and Bute was commissioned in March 2017. Consisting of 11 turbines, the 22.55 MW project has injected £6.34 million into the Argyll and Bute economy through working closely with the local supply chain – with £4.21 million being spent with local contractors, £1.56 million on local materials, £0.36 million on local supplies and services, and £0.21 on local accommodation.
- Glenchamber Wind Farm, Dumfries and Galloway
RES’ Glenchamber wind farm near New Luce, Kirkcowan and Glenluce, was commissioned in October 2016. Consisting of 11 turbines, the 27.5 MW project delivered a considerable £8 million of inward investment and employed 45 local people during construction leading to upskilling of the local workforce.