Welcome to Corr Chnoc Wind Farm

It is vital that local communities share in the significant economic and social benefits which will be delivered as we develop Corr Chnoc Wind Farm.

If consented, significant funding will be distributed to local communities over the lifetime of the wind farm through our Community Wealth Fund and Construction Community Fund, with an opportunity for community shared ownership also on offer.

These are voluntary schemes that are separate from the planning process and have the potential to deliver considerable long-term benefits.

Community Wealth Fund (CWF)

Corr Chnoc Wind Farm will provide a real opportunity to build and contribute to a lasting and sustainable Community Wealth Fund (CWF), benefitting local communities over the lifetime of the wind farm and beyond.

Through our CWF we adhere to the Scottish Government Good Practice Principles for Community Benefits. These principles offer a guaranteed funding package worth £5,000 per MW of the wind farm’s installed capacity annually. This figure is index-linked, so will rise in line with inflation.

Galileo is committed to exploring with local groups and organisations as to how such a fund, worth approximately £400,000 per annum (2024 prices) over the expected 50-year operational life of the wind farm, based on a total generating capacity of 79MW, can best be distributed.

Over the wind farm’s operational life, this would equate to a total benefit of approximately £20 million distributed to local communities. The real sum will be greater as the community benefit, as highlighted, is index-linked to inflation.

We actively encouraged input from local communities concerning the types of projects and initiatives they would like to see benefit from the CWF, and have had many great suggestions.

Some of these, which we are looking to progress further, are highlighted below:

• Renewable Electricity Discount Scheme (REDS)

It was clear from the public consultation events and meetings with community councils, local organisations, businesses and individuals, that there is an interest in electricity discounts arising from the wind farm development.

The Corr Chnoc Renewable Electricity Discount Scheme (REDS) will provide a direct and tangible benefit to people living and working nearest to the wind farm, and be open to all residential, commercial and community properties.

A preliminary suggestion is that discounts on electricity bills range from £1,000 per annum for those properties located within 2km of the nearest wind turbine, £800 for those between 2km and 3km, and £600 for those between 3km and 4km (see map link below). These payments will be index-linked for the operational life of the wind farm, meaning that they will rise with inflation.

To achieve this, we are collaborating with an innovative utility provider to form a partnership to implement the REDS scheme.

• Community Projects

The CWF provides opportunities to support local community groups, village halls and venues, as well as to improve transport services. There is also the potential to fund environmental projects, including rewilding and creating footpaths and cycle trails.

• Fuel Poverty Fund

Funds could be distributed via ALIenergy (Argyll, Lomond and the Islands Energy Agency) to those suffering from fuel poverty in the wider area. ALIenergy is a charity based in Oban, which works locally to promote sustainable energy use and renewable energy generation, serving to combat fuel poverty and reduce carbon emissions.

• Education and Training Fund

Galileo could set up a wind farm bursary scheme to encourage local students who want to extend their education but may not have the means to do so. Working with local schools, further and higher education providers, and Skills Development Scotland, this would support aspiring learners and those wanting to enter Modern Apprenticeships or develop land-based skills.