Scotland’s first wind farm to be developed through a partnership between
two charities has taken a big turn forward with the conclusion of its
financing package and completion of turbine foundations.
The Hoprigshiels wind farm project – comprising three x 2.5-MW Nordex wind
turbines – is located in Berwickshire. Completion and commissioning is
expected towards the end of this year.
The two charities involved, Berwickshire Housing Association and Community
Energy Scotland, are taking the project forward through a joint venture
company, Berwickshire Community Renewables.
The windfarm will supply electricity to the National Grid over a 25-year
period and the revenues from the sale of power will help support the
charities’ social purposes.
Helen Forsyth, Chief Executive, Berwickshire Housing Association, said “We
are absolutely delighted that we have been able to see the construction of
the wind farm start on site at Hoprigshiels.
“The revenue generated by the wind farm will enable us to build around 20
homes a year for the next 25 years – about 500 in total. Working with an
experienced community wind farm developer like Community Energy Scotland
has been a great experience for us and we couldn’t have done this without
them.”
Nicholas Gubbins, Chief Executive, Community Energy Scotland, added:
“Having helped many community groups install their own renewable energy
projects over the past eight years, it’s fantastic that we now have our own
project underway – and it’s even better that we have done this in
partnership with another like-minded charity.”
The project is being financed by Triodos Bank and the Scottish Investment
Bank’s Renewable Energy Investment Fund.
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