New Eday Wind Farm Developer Commits to Maximise Economic Benefits to Local Community

The proposed Neven Point Wind Farm on Eday, first mooted in 2018, has been acquired by Scottish independent and experienced developer, GreenPower, one of the early pioneers of onshore wind developments in Scotland. (1)

GreenPower wants to explore with Eday residents how the wind farm can be developed in a way that can best support a sustainable future for the island and a drop-in session and exhibition is being held on 25th August at the Eday Heritage Centre. Any interested people from the North Isles and across Orkney are also welcome. (2) GreenPower intends to offer shared community ownership in the project, and to provide up to £150,000 per year community benefit to be targeted at what the community identifies as its most important priorities.

GreenPower’s intention is to submit a planning application in December this year and is currently completing the process of gathering environmental monitoring information to inform a final design and planning application. Local Orkney company Aquatera and UHI’s Orkney Research Centre for Archaeology have also been involved in supporting project development and engagement work and this will continue. Previous developer Dennis Gowland from ResearchRelay will also continue involvement with some advice on strategic grid related matters. The original proposal was for up to ten turbines, which subsequently was reduced to eight during scoping (a process that considers initial environmental effects), and the current proposal may be reduced further to six or seven based on the most up to date information.

Latest details of the project proposal will be made available at the drop-in event later this month. A representative from Local Energy Scotland will also attend to talk with local people about opportunities for sharing ownership. (3)

GreenPower Director of Development, George Baxter, said: “We are delighted to be developing the project, and to build on the work that has already been carried out over the last few years. The project has been making good pre-planning progress, with several iterations of design and layout to minimise any potential effects on the local environment. We look forward to working with the Eday community to develop the project responsibly, and in a way which will deliver tangible benefits to local people in the short and longer terms. GreenPower commits to working to provide positive benefits to the people and businesses of Eday as this is at the core of the way we work.

“We believe the project has the potential to be positively transformational for the future of Eday. In our engagement with local people to date, a significant and recurring piece of feedback is for the project to target funding and investment at local economic development. And there have been other proposals such as how the project might help to create a more resilient local smart grid, to support housing needs, to address fuel poverty, to generate and use hydrogen locally in farming, perhaps even to make renewable energy and a sustainable island something that can stimulate tourism. Lots of opportunities are possible, nothing is on or off the table at this stage, and we look forward to constructive discussions with the community at the drop-in session, and in the weeks and months to come.

“Climate change may be the biggest threat to humanity, but renewable energy is also one of the biggest opportunities for places like Eday with its rich natural energy resources to build a sustainable foundation for the future.”

The Neven Point Wind Farm intends to connect into the grid system in 2027 with export capacity of around 30 MegaWatts, which will support the most efficient use of, and justification for, the new 220 MW transmission link planned to the mainland, subject to the OFGEM needs case being satisfied which requires confidence that a strong pipeline of projects will be delivered.

 

Notes to Editors

(1) GreenPower is an independent originator, developer, owner and operator of renewable energy assets with projects in onshore wind, hydro, hydrogen and solar, founded in 2000, is based in Alloa, central Scotland and has a specialist team leading development, construction, acquisitions and operation of renewable energy projects. GreenPower has consented over 270MW of renewable assets and currently has projects in development of over 240 MW with further ambitious growth targets. Our objective is to play our part in tackling the climate emergency by developing and operating projects that directly reduce carbon emissions and deliver economic and social benefits to local communities and the wider Scottish economy. For more information see www.greenpowerinternational.com. The developers’ advisors in the acquisition transaction were PKF Francis Clark (corporate) and MacRoberts (corporate and property). GreenPower were advised by Addleshaw Goddard (corporate) and Harper MacLeod (property).

(2) Details of the drop in session: Venue: Heritage Centre, Eday Date: 25th August 2022 Time: 12 – 8pm, there will be an exhibition, and opportunity to meet Project Manager Sam Layton and other GreenPower staff and energy and environment experts working on the project. There will be regular presentations throughout the day. Refreshments will be provided. Invitations will be posted to all residents of Eday. People from neighbouring islands are also invited to attend.

(3) Local Energy Scotland is an organisation that supports communities to engage with developers of renewable energy projects – with a view to securing a community stake in commercial projects through shared ownership and collaborative partnerships. Mark Brennan at LES will attend the drop in day and be available to discuss options and opportunities. For more information go to: We are Local Energy Scotland · Local Energy Scotland

(4) For more information go to: www.greenpowerinternational.com/current-projects/neven-point-wind-farm/ or call 07717 817 939