RWE has today unveiled the Caithness Futures Community Benefit Fund (Caithness Futures), a new region wide programme linked to the now operational Camster II onshore wind farm which aims to help address key social issues locally and across the wider region.
Designed from extensive local consultation, the fund is split across key themes including Education and Training Support. It expands on an initiative originating from RWE’s Camster Wind Farm Community Fund, and which has already supported around 80 local people with access to education, including degree courses. Thanks to the new Caithness Futures the region’s residents can continue to access the support grants worth up to £750 per person.
The launch builds on RWE’s long-standing commitment to the region and is the fourth RWE fund to begin operating in the area. Each one is administered independently by Foundation Scotland, ensuring accessible, transparent and community led decision making. All funding decisions are made by a panel of local community representatives, and includes places specifically reserved for young people under 30, based in Caithness.
Katy Woodington, RWE Community Investment Manager UK & Ireland, said: “The Caithness Futures Fund reflects what we believe community investment should be - locally informed, practical and impactful. We’ve listened carefully to community voices, and in doing so identified real issues and targeted support that can help individuals, families and communities address the challenges they face today.”
Caithness Futures will also provide significant investment in region wide health and wellbeing projects, with multi year grants aligned to the Caithness Area Place Plan and designed to have a positive local impact.
Eilidh Coll, at Foundation Scotland, said: “When working with our existing community panel members to develop Caithness Futures, leaving a legacy for future generations was a clear priority. Investing further in education and training, alongside targeted, multi-year support to valuable health and wellbeing initiatives, will ensure this new funding makes a long-term difference to Caithness communities.”
Katy, at RWE, added: "RWE is proud to be a long-term partner to communities in Caithness and across Scotland. As our renewable energy portfolio grows, so too does our ability to invest in initiatives that make a tangible difference to people’s lives in both the communities directly neighbouring our wind farms and the wider Caithness area."
The set-up of the fund draws on RWE’s more than 20 years expertise of working closely with communities to design meaningful initiatives that help build sustainable communities. Since 2008, the company has invested more than £3.5 million into Caithness communities through its wind farms. From 2026, its four operational sites in Caithness will contribute over £580,000 each year, rising to more than £900,000 annually from 2027 with the addition of a fund linked to Golticlay Wind Farm. In total, more than £20 million is expected to be made available to Caithness communities over the next 35 years through RWE’s renewable energy developments.
RWE invests £5.7 million in Scottish and UK communities in 2025
The launch of the fund marks the publication of the company’s UK Community Benefits Annual Report, which highlights over £5.7 million invested across the UK in 2025, including £911,500 in Scotland as a direct result of the operation of RWE’s renewables projects.
With over £176 million dedicated to community projects over the lifetime of its UK operating renewables portfolio, RWE remains committed to putting communities at the heart of its work, ensuring a brighter, more equitable future, one small project at a time. For more information, project stories, and images, visit the RWE community hub.
For more information on how to apply to the Caithness Futures Community Benefit Fund, or to find out more about how to apply to join the panel of local representatives that will decide on funding allocation, please contact Eilidh Coll on 07801 530218 or email [email protected].
CASE STUDY: Education and Training in Caithness
Supporting Skills and Opportunity Across Caithness
As part of the new fund, RWE will continue the Caithness-wide Education and Training Fund first developed by the Camster Wind Farm Community Fund Panel. This will ensure residents across Caithness can continue to access grants of up to £750 per year towards education and training, with an initial annual budget of £60,000.
In 2025, RWE presented a ‘Future Bright’ award to the Camster Panel in recognition of its pioneering decision to open up funding to individuals across the whole of Caithness, rather than focusing solely on those living closest to the turbines.
To date, £75,000 from Camster Wind Farm has supported 78 individuals from across the county. The fund has helped people access:
- Degree and Masters courses in subjects including Law, Mechanical Engineering, Accountancy, Physics and Astronomy
- Vocational training in areas such as dance and wildlife and conservation management
- Professional and academic qualifications, from primary teaching to acrobatic teacher training
Panel member Linda Malik Bremner said: “I, along with others on the panel, felt it was important to contribute to the Caithness Education and Training Fund because supporting opportunities across the whole county helps break down the geographical divides often associated with community benefit funds.
“This fund also helps bring our communities closer together. While community funds in the past have traditionally focused on the areas closest to the turbines, we believe adapting to the wider needs of the Caithness community reflects a more united, adaptable and forward-thinking approach.”
Support has covered course fees, university accommodation, work placements, laptops for remote learning and travel costs, which are often a barrier in a geographically remote area like Caithness. The funding has also helped reduce the need for extensive part-time work, allowing students to focus more fully on their studies.
Community Fund pictures to support the Caithness launch and for media use (credit: RWE) are available at the RWE Media Centre.
