Foundation Scotland: Vattenfall’s Clashindarroch Community Wind Farm Fund calls on local residents and groups to apply for grants

EDINBURGH, 18-3-2015 — /EuropaWire/ — Vattenfall, the owner of Clashindarroch wind farm, is calling on local residents and groups to apply for grants from a major, new investment fund.

The Clashindarroch Community Wind Farm Fund, will benefit the four areas served by Huntly, Strathbogie and Tap O Noth Community Councils and the Cabrach Community Association. It is managed on behalf of Vattenfall by Foundation Scotland, and has started the application process this month and residents have until 4 May to apply. Vattenfall, the owner of the 18 turbine wind farm, will pay £185,000 (index linked) into the fund every year.

And to ensure the fund provides the widest possible benefit to the region, Foundation Scotland is seeking nominations from local residents in Huntly, Strathbogie, Tap o’ Noth and the Cabrach to fill four places on the fund granting body. The successful four will complement panellists from the local community associations.

Anyone interested in applying for funding and/or joining the panel can found out more from the Foundation Scotland website:www.foundationscotland.org/clashindarroch.

Peter Kunz, Vattenfall’s Service Leader for Clashindarroch Wind Farm said; “Local people told us that they wanted to see the widest possible benefit from the £185,000 annual fund. We hope that lots of people and groups in the area apply for funding and fulfill that ambition.“

Clashindarroch Community Fund working group representatives added, “It’s been a challenging and enjoyable experience doing the ground work to establish this Fund but we are looking forward to it coming to fruition and seeing applications come forward.”

The Fund’s purpose, priorities and award levels have been informed by the Clashindarroch Conversation which community members contributed to in 2014. The results of the Conversation and applications forms are available at www.foundationscotland.org/clashindarroch. This first round closes on 4th May with announcements planned for June. The second round will close in early September with decisions announced in late October.

Vattenfall asked Foundation Scotland last year to support management of the significant fund on behalf of the Cabrach Community Association, Huntly Community Council, Strathbogie Community Council and Tap o’ Noth Community Council.

Anyone wanting to get in touch about the Clashindarroch Wind Farm Community Fund can do so by emailing Rachel from Foundation Scotland –rachel@foundationscotland.org.uk or by calling her on 07900 221483.

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For further information please contact:
Jan Torrance t: 0141 341 4960 or email: jan@foundationscotland.org.uk

Notes to Editors

Vattenfall
Vattenfall is a Swedish state owned energy company which produces and sells power and heat in Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands. In the UK it develops, builds and operates on and offshore wind farms. The construction of Clashindarroch Wind Farm started in 2013 and is expected to be completed in spring 2015. In an average year, the 18 turbine wind farm will be capable of generating the equivalent electricity needs of more than 110,000 UK households. Clashindarroch Wind Farm is Vattenfall’s second wind farm in Scotland.

Follow the Clashindarroch blog: http://clashindarrochwindfarm.vattenfall.co.uk/