RWE has appointed Foundation Scotland to manage the new Enoch Hill Wind Farm Community Fund, which will deliver around £10.5 million to New Cumnock and surrounding communities over the wind farm’s operational lifetime.
The fund is directly linked to the newly constructed Enoch Hill Wind Farm, with the first funding expected to be available from around May2026, when the site expects to begin generating electricity.
RWE worked closely with local residents and stakeholders to shape the fund’s structure. Feedback highlighted the importance of ensuring that those living nearest to the wind farm receive early priority for support, and that decisions are taken locally, transparently and by a broad cross section of the community.
To support this approach, RWE and Foundation Scotland will establish a local community decision making panel, made up of people who live, work, or volunteer in New Cumnock. The panel will help identify funding priorities and assess applications, ensuring the fund delivers maximum local benefit.
The structure and delivery of the fund will be reviewed after an initial five-year period which could include considering if the next phase of funding should be delivered over a wider area.
Kathryn Harries, RWE Community Investment Manager said: “Community benefit funding is an important part of how RWE operates its renewable energy projects. Our aim is always to design funds around the needs and priorities of the communities closest to our developments. Following consultation with local residents and stakeholders, we believe appointing Foundation Scotland will provide the best platform to ensure the Enoch Hill Community Fund is delivered transparently, efficiently and in a way that maximises benefit for the local community.”
Since first generation, renewable energy projects operated by RWE have invested more than £7.8 million into Scottish communities neighbouring our sites, through their community benefit funds. Over their lifetime, RWE’s renewable energy projects that are currently either in construction of operation will contribute over £53 million into Scottish communities.
Foundation Scotland brings extensive experience supporting community panels and administering renewable energy funds across Scotland. It already supports the delivery of more than £13 million of renewable energy community funding each year across Scotland, working with communities to ensure funding has the greatest possible local impact. The organisation also administers the nearby South Kyle Wind Farm Community Fund, and Windy Rig Community Benefit Fund which involve communities including New Cumnock.
Get involved
Recruitment for the new decision-making panel will begin ahead of the fund’s launch, inviting applications from people who live, work or volunteer in New Cumnock.
To find out more about the fund please visit RWE’s website: www.rwe.com/enochhill
Pictures of Enoch Hill for media use (credit: RWE) are available at the RWE Media Centre.
Further information about Enoch Hill and the community benefits fund can be found here.
