Wind farms operated by RWE, the UK’s leading renewable energy generator, contributed over £4.5million in 2022 to support key local community initiatives, marking the company’s largest annual contribution in almost 25 years.
During the year, 488 separate grants were paid out from various RWE-funded Community Benefit Funds, ranging from £180 - £70,000, and supported key local priorities with decisions made by and for the communities themselves.
Those community funds also served to foster real local pride, and helped create 15,255 education and training opportunities, 3,926 volunteering opportunities, at the same time helping to safeguard around 193 jobs, whilst supporting the creation of 53 new roles.
Over the last 25 years, RWE-supported funds have invested over £33 million locally. Over their lifetime, those community benefit funds set up by RWE alongside its UK operating onshore and offshore wind farms, will invest over £100 million, supporting local projects and activities, and with the potential to unlock further match-funding opportunities. It means RWE-funded Community Benefit Funds will continue to have a significant and long-lasting impact on the lives of local people, enabling and supporting community facilities and essential services that support those most in need, while enriching communities and people’s lives.
Community Benefit funds are made available in local areas which surround RWE’s renewable energy projects. They are provided to and managed directly by local independent organisations. The funding processes are designed to be flexible and easily accessible, with funding decisions made by panels of local representatives who know their communities best.
Not only has £4.5 million been allocated to community funds in 2022, but these funding awards have also enabled community organisations to access over £5 million in additional matched funding, increasing their value to local people even more.
Innovative and exciting projects funded by RWE’s community funds are spread across the UK and include supporting and creating community facilities that are more energy efficient, accessible, and fit for the future, as well as enabling activities that bring communities together – especially important last year as local people and groups were re-connecting post pandemic. Many grants have supported improving health, wellbeing, and initiatives such as improving sporting facilities for young people, and helping the most vulnerable in society, through initiatives that improve access to welfare and benefits advice.
Other funds have had a positive and lasting impact on protecting and enhancing the environment and fighting climate change, from supporting habitat improvement projects to helping communities in their journey to Net Zero with solar panels, air source heat pumps for community buildings, and electric vehicles for community transport.
In 2022 awards have also had a strong focus on education and skills opportunities as well as creating local employment and increasing tourism opportunities.
Examples include;
Improving community assets: The Village Hall is right at the heart of Llanyfydd, it is used by a multitude of groups and organisations as well as events and at 50 years old was desperately in need of renovation. A multi-year grant of over £160,000 from the Clocaenog Forest Onshore Wind Farm Fund helped to secure match funding, from the Rural Communities Development Fund, Conwy County Council, and the Welsh Government Community Facilities program. The community now has a modern, renovated, accessible, insulated community building fit for the 21st century.
Bringing communities together and raising environmental awareness: A £2,500 grant from Sofia Offshore Wind Farm enabled Marske Litter Action to work with Marske Community Partnership and Stellar Projects to deliver creative community workshops and drop-in sessions. Artists and volunteers worked with the community turning litter into lanterns while raising awareness of the impact people have on their environment.
Tom Glover RWE UK country chair said: “We have a long standing commitment to the local communities closest to our projects and are proud to see their community funds support so many innovative, inclusive, and essential projects. We know that every community in which we operate is unique so it makes sense that local people who know their area best can have a real say over how these funds are invested. Through these funds, our renewable energy projects are making a significant difference to people’s lives, the environment and driving sustainable local community development.”
To find out more about RWE’s Community Funds, and the local projects and causes that they help to support, visit our Community funding in action page.
