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A developer’s perspective of community benefit funds. Claire Addison Communications Manager AES Wind Generation. AES Wind Generation. D eveloper and operator specialising in medium to large scale wind projects in the UK.
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A developer’s perspective of community benefit funds Claire Addison Communications Manager AES Wind Generation
AES Wind Generation • Developer and operator specialising in medium to large scale wind projects in the UK. • Responsible for development and operation of almost 300MW of installed capacity, with over 300MW in development. • Member of Renewable UK and Scottish Renewables.
AES and community benefit funding • Independently administered • Offered for 25 year life of each site • Index linked • Decision on structure and priorities trusted to local communities • Community profile offered • Support for strategic and long-term projects
North Rhins Wind Farm • Located on the Rhins peninsula, between Stranraer and Portpatrick. • Operating since January 2010. • 11 turbines with a total installed capacity of 22MW. • £236,280 towards the community purchaseof the Portpatrick Harbour.
Going forward: what we’d like to see • Guidance and support in overcoming gaps between community councils and other community members • Guidance and support for strategic funding models including social enterprisesand start up grants • Case studies focusing on economic development • A clear structure for electricity discount schemes
Going forward: what developers should be offering • A named point of contact • An agreed £ per MW that is the industry standard at the time of the fund’s creation • Option of multi-year funding models to encourage stable support • Flexibility and a willingness to trust local people to decide where the money can best be used • Paying for additional costs on top of the fund – no siphoning off • A simple application process and reasonable turnaround time