Bowbeat Wind Farm establishes community benefit fund for local community

Communities near Bowbeat Wind Farm in Scotland are set to benefit from a new community fund worth £156,000 a year. It follows RWE's decision to establish a new benefit fund for the Bowbeat as part of its plans to extend the operational life of the wind farm.

RWE has committed to providing annual funding for local communities throughout the remaining planned operational life of Bowbeat Wind Farm until 2030. Bowbeat has been generating renewable electricity since 2002, many years before the Scottish Government first introduced the Good Practice Principles for Community Benefits from Onshore Renewable Energy Developments. To date, community contributions were informal, but the extension of the wind farm's lifetime provided the opportunity to introduce a more structured fund that aligns with current good practice principles.

The initial annual contribution of £156,000 is based on £5,000 per installed megawatt of the wind farm's 31.2MW capacity. Annual contributions will increase each year in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

The fund will support charitable projects and community initiatives across the Royal Burgh of Peebles & District, Eddleston & District and Innerleithen & District. Funding will help improve community facilities, services, local activities, environmental projects and opportunities that enhance life for current and future generations.

RWE has appointed Foundation Scotland to independently manage the fund, working closely with the three Community Councils to ensure funding reflects local priorities. Two-thirds of the annual funding will support projects in Peebles & District and Eddleston & District, while one-third will be allocated to Innerleithen & District.

The first five micro-grants have been awarded, supporting a diverse range of community projects. Awards have been made to Innerleithen Open Studios for a new website, Hub CIC for High Street cycling safety signs, Innerleithen Community Trust for woodland path repairs, Leithen Vale Sports Club towards a new gazebo, and St Ronan’s Care Home Garden Volunteers for polytunnels, plants and raised beds.

Commenting on the appointment, Johnny McFadzean, Community Funds Adviser at Foundation Scotland, said: "We're delighted to work alongside RWE and the three Community Councils to launch these new funds. Each has been designed around the aspirations of the local communities, with funding decisions made by local people. Drawing on our experience supporting a significant number of community benefit funds across Scotland, we know the RWE Bowbeat Wind Farm Community Fund will make a meaningful difference to residents across Peebles, Eddleston and Innerleithen."

RWE's approach to community benefits is centred on empowering local people to shape the future of their own communities. Rather than deciding which projects should receive funding, RWE works with independent partners and local representatives to ensure funding decisions are made by the people who know their communities best.

In 2025, RWE's renewable energy projects invested almost £5.7 million in community benefit funds across the UK, including £911,500 in Scotland, £1.497 million in England and £3.337 million in Wales, supporting hundreds of grassroots projects and local initiatives.

Katy Woodington, RWE’s UK community investment lead added: "We're delighted to launch Bowbeat Wind Farm's first community benefit fund, ensuring local communities can share in the benefits of the wind farm's continued operation. At RWE, we believe local people are best placed to decide what will make the greatest difference in their communities. By working alongside Foundation Scotland and the Community Councils, we're putting those decisions into local hands and look forward to seeing the positive impact this fund will have across Peebles, Eddleston and Innerleithen."

Peter Maudsley, Chair of Peebles and District Community Council, said: "Peebles and District Community Council are pleased to recognise the contribution made to the communities of Peebles and Eddleston by RWE from Bowbeat Wind Farm. All communities have good causes run by volunteers who require funds for new projects or, in some cases, to ensure their very survival. This funding will provide a welcome boost to many of these worthy causes."

Gordon Harwell, Chair of Eddleston and District Community Council, said: "Eddleston and District Community Council is very pleased to announce the opening of this new community benefit scheme, which will provide grants to local charitable groups and good causes. We are pleased to be working with RWE and Foundation Scotland to support projects that might otherwise struggle to secure funding."

Innerleithen & District Community Council- George Brown: “Innerleithen and District Community Council is delighted that the Bowbeat community benefit fund has gone live - there are so many good initiatives in the area that could use additional money to underpin our vibrant community. I encourage interested organisations to apply to the fund and also request that interested people who would like to be considered to sit on the panel that will decide where the funding goes submit an application as soon as they can.”

The RWE Bowbeat Wind Farm Community Fund is now open and will support a broad range of charitable and community-led initiatives, including projects that improve local facilities, strengthen community services, enhance the environment and create opportunities for people of all ages. Further information on eligibility and how to apply is available from Foundation Scotland.

Pictures from recent Caithness Futures Community Benefit Fund awards for media use (credit: RWE) are available at the RWE Media Centre.