Community benefits in Wales

Enjoying The BenefitsThe value of onshore wind farm Community Benefit Funds to Wales

Executive summaryRenewable energy is seen by Welsh Government as having an important role in economic development. However, there are many other benefits the

industry is bringing to local communities up and down Wales which are perhaps not so acknowledged or understood. Many renewable energy

operators participate in the success of local communities both in terms of their

time and through voluntary contributions to local ‘good causes’ through a variety of different schemes. However, the number and form of such schemes

which operate in Wales is unknown.

Community benefit funds and schemes (hereafter known as CBFs) typically

take the form of an annual payment by the developer of a sum linked to the

capacity of the wind farm. They are usually intended for use on local projects of a socially beneficial nature, such as environmental preservation or social

regeneration. Aside from simply making grants available for local use, community benefit funds present an opportunity for local communities to play a

greater part in meeting their own needs in a way that delivers long-term and

sustainable benefits.

In particular, this report explores the local dimensions of CBFs on the onshore

wind power sector - however, offshore wind power also provides a high level of community support, and our recommendations would also apply to offshore

wind power projects to a large extent. It aims to demonstrate the responsible

way in which onshore wind farm owners operate, and how the sustainability of the energy they produce goes hand-in-hand with the sustainability of the

communities which they serve.

Our research focuses on the local dimensions of wind energy development,

and more specifically it seeks to examine the provision of wider community

benefits which support long-term sustainability at the local, as well as global, scale. The range of potential benefits includes economic dividends through

local share ownership, community benefit funds, contributions to the social, economic or environmental infrastructure for the area, or reduced energy bills

for local residents.

Since the first commercial wind farms were commissioned in Wales, the issue

of ‘community benefits’ has been treated on an ad hoc basis. There has been

little systematic investigation of their number and scope, and of the uses to which these benefits are put. At the same time there has been rapid evolution

in the scale and form of community benefits provided by wind farm developments. In response, the Welsh Government is seeking to steer and

improve the process of negotiating and delivering community benefits.

Many Welsh wind projects are already delivering community benefits which fall within the definition of sustainable development, but there are gaps in our

knowledge surrounding their number, scale and scope.

As wind farms increase in number and size, CBFs are becoming more

common. Further research into current funds may therefore be valuable given

the increasing use of this model. This study only considers currently operational onshore wind farms, and not those that relate to projects which are

currently in the planning system, have planning approval, or that are currently being constructed.

The study found that there are a wide range of CBFs operating in Wales which

contribute extremely positively to local communities. In particular, the data demonstrates that:

• Some four out of every five wind farms operating in Wales already contribute to their local communities in a structured way;

• Many different entities benefit from wind farm contributions;

• CBFs in Wales are mainly administered through localised trusts (or similar bodies), or community councils;

• The most common form of wind farm operator payment is fixed amounts, followed by an amount calculated per megawatt (MW) installed; and

• From 55% of respondents across Wales, the amounts paid to CBFs or

similar in 2011 totalled £623,853.30.

There is a compelling case based on transparency, openness and the ability to

learn from best practice, for a register such as the Scottish Government’s Register of Community Benefits from Renewables, as administered by

Community Energy Scotland. As such, we believe the following

recommendations should be adopted by Welsh Government:

• Welsh Government needs to provide funding to undertake the production of

a CBF register for ‘live’ or approved wind farms that is easily and publicly

accessible;

• In addition, Welsh Government should provide funding to facilitate the

production of a CBF register for newly-submitted proposals;

• CBFs should ensure that they are suitable for industry and communities,

and that they are managed in a ‘smart’ way, and Welsh Government should

earmark funding to Community Energy Wales (or a similar body) to support communities in developing the best CBF for their particular needs;

• Welsh Government should consider how CBF payments can be most effective over a project lifetime, given the increasing phenomenon of

ownership of projects being transferred to vehicles such as hedge funds,

private equity funds, etc. It is important to note that detailed information for this study was provided from the bulk of RenewableUK Cymru membership,

while those not involved with the organisation at a membership level (particularly financial institutions) were less likely to provide a response.

The study also includes a register of wind farm community benefit funds in

Wales, detailing fund value and administrative arrangements.

Table of Contents Foreword 5

Introduction 6

Methodology 8

Structure of the Report 11

Context 12

Findings 17

Entities employed to administer CBFs 21

Contribution methods 25

Register of wind farm CBFs in Wales 29

Additional comments 33

Conclusions and Recommendations 35

Appendix 1 39

Report produced by Capital Connections for RenewableUK Cymru

Foreword2012 has revealed a Wales of three parts; the south, where approval has been granted for one of the UK’s biggest wind farms, and where local companies are lining up to support the development and installation; mid Wales, which is beset by local anxiety about grid and transport, and where local economies stall as jobs, skills and young people leak away from market towns and rural communities; and the north, where offshore wind farms are revitalising ports and coastal communities.

This description is a gross oversimplification but it does serve to illustrate some key differences, and also to point out that Wales’ natural resources have presented a huge opportunity for some of our communities, which is currently not being grasped.

Community benefits are important, although we should remember that they are only one of many reasons why environment, economy and society benefits from onshore wind. This report is a key part of the overall jigsaw of information, highlighting the additional financial support given to communities in and around many of our wind sites in Wales.

The total value paid into Community Benefit Funds (or equivalent) during 2011 is conservatively estimated at more than £620,000, a value which is set to rise considerably as more wind farms come on-stream, and as the index-linked nature of many of the funds evolves.

As an industry, as a civil society, and as a country, we need to examine how we use these funds, and whether there is more that can be done. We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to revitalise, to stimulate and to strategically support communities and businesses in parts of Wales which have hitherto proved hard to reach. I hope that this can prove to be another important point in an ongoing process which delivers greatest benefit to the parts of Wales which are in greatest need.

Dr David ClubbDirector, RenewableUK Cymru

IntroductionPURPOSE OF THE REPORT

The renewable energy industry in Wales plays a vital role in our

economy and potentially our e n e r g y s e c u r i t y. B u t t h i s

contribution extends beyond the

immediate economic benefits of the business. It often supports a

wide range of projects and partnerships to build stronger and

more sustainable communities.

RenewableUK Cymru set out to discover the extent and nature of wind farm community benefit funds in Wales, upon which further work could potentially

be undertaken to evaluate how such funds could continue to contribute to local development, and investigate factors that aid or constrain their meaningful

use.

The overarching objective of the study was to determine the proportion of wind farms in Wales which have community benefit funds, and more specifically:

• To discover the extent and nature of wind farm community benefit funds in Wales;

• To compile a register of wind farm community benefit funds in Wales,

detailing fund value and administrative arrangements; and

• To make a series of policy recommendations regarding their operation at a

pan-Wales level.

The study was confined to CBFs provided by commercial wind farm

developers of grid-connected onshore wind farms, operational in June 2012,

and administered by communities or third-parties appointed on their behalf. It outlines typical annual contributions per megawatt of installed capacity, which

The value of onshore wind farm Community Benefit Funds to Wales | RenewableUK Cymru

6

enables us to approximate an amount of monetary contributions paid by the

industry to local communities across Wales.

The study also allows us to identify the most common type of fund-managing body, whether they are Community Councils, Community Trusts, Companies

Limited by Guarantee, third-party, or Local Authority, administration and, in turn, looks at a selection of case studies which have implications for CBF

administration.

The final part of this report outlines implications for operators of CBFs and policy-makers – in particular, how the industry can include devolved

government policies in the construction and operation of schemes.


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MethodologyIn view of the limited data on wind farm community benefits, it was our aim to create a comprehensive register of CBFs in Wales using the following

methodology. Firstly, initial desk research was carried out to determine what proportion of wind farms in Wales have CBFs and to compile a register of

these funds.

A list of all onshore operational wind farms in Wales (operational at June 2012) was identified which provided us with the name of the development, number of

turbines, megawatt output, developer and owner:

Wind Farm Turbines MW Developer Owner

Alltwalis 10 23 Catamount/Force 9 Statkraft

BDCR II 1 0.5 Bro Dyfi Community renewables

Blaen Bowi 3 3.9 Windjen Power Ltd Windjen Power Ltd

Braich Ddu Farm 3 3.9 REG WINDPOWER

Bryn Titli 22 9.9 RWE Npower Renewables Beaufort Wind Limited

Carno 'A' & 'B' 56 33.6 RWE Npower Renewables Beaufort Wind Limited

Carno Extension (Carno 2) 12 15.6 Amegni Amegni

Castle Pill Farm - repowering 4 3.2 Infinergy

Cefn Croes (inc Devils Bridge) 39 58.5 RDC Falck Renewables

Cemmaes 18 15.3 First Windfarm Holdings Ltd First Wind Farm Holdings

Dyffryn Brodyn 11 5.5 New World Power RES

Ferndale 8 6.4 Infinergy Infinergy

Ffynnon Oer 16 32 RWE Npower Renewables RWE Npower Renewables

G24I 1 2.3 Ecotricity Ecotricity

Hafoty Ucha 1 1 0.6 Tegni Tegni

Hafoty Ucha 2 extension 2 1.7 Tegni Tegni

Hafoty Ucha 3 extension 1 0.85 Tegni

Llandinam P & L 103 30.9 Scottish Power/Eurus Energy ScottishPower/Eurus Energy

Llangwyryfon repowering 11 9.35 First Windfarm Holdings Ltd First Wind Farm Holdings

Llyn Alaw 34 20.4 RWE Npower Renewables Beaufort Wind Limited

Maesgwyn 13 26 Pennant Walters

Mawla (Moel Maelogen) 3 3.9 Energiekontor Co WP Mombkg UK branch

Moel Maelogen Extension 9 11.7 Ail Wynt Cyf

Monier Redland Plant 1 0.5 Infinite Energy

Mynydd Clogau 17 14.45 Novera Infinis

Mynydd Gorddu 19 10.2 Amgen Beaufort Wind Limited

Parc Cynog 5 3.6 Nuon Renewables Nuon Renewables

Pendine (Parc Cynog Extension I) 6 4.8 Nuon Renewables Nuon Renewables


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Rheidol 8 2.4 E.ON UK Renewables Infinis

Rhyd-y-Groes 24 7.2 EcoGen, Seawest & Tomen joint venture E.on Renewables

Solutia UK Ltd 2 5 Wind Direct Wind Direct Ltd

Swansea Docks 1 0.25 EnergyTech Swansea Bay Energy Partnership ltd

Taff Ely 20 9 Perma Energy RWE Npower Renewables

Tesco Distribution Centre 2 1.6 TNEI

Tir Mostyn & Foel Goch 25 21.25 Windjen Power Ltd HG Capital

Trysglwyn 14 5.6 RWE Npower Renewables Beaufort Wind Limited

Wern Ddu (Craig Lelo) 4 9.2 Tegni Triodos Renewables

Contact details were then identified for each of the developers/operators, and

the following basic information was requested:

๏ Name of company

๏ Name of wind farm(s) operated

๏ Post code(s) of wind farm(s) operated

๏ MW capacity of wind farm(s) operated

๏ Approximate age(s) of wind farm development(s) operated

๏ Name and position of respondent

❖ Value of community benefit fund (if any)

❖ How the fund is administered

❖ Rules on use of the fund

❖ An open-ended question prompting further comments on either their own

CBF arrangements or CBFs in general.

The actual questions asked were:

• Does your company contribute to a Community Benefit Scheme or Fund? (If the answer was ‘No’, then there were no further questions)

• To which entity do you contribute to the Community Benefit Scheme or

Fund (i.e. the name of the Scheme or Fund and who administers it)?

• What is the governance structure of the Community Benefit Scheme or

Fund you contribute to (e.g. a community trust, a co-operative, or a Local Authority-run entity)?

• What amount of contribution do you make to a Community Benefit Scheme

or Fund (e.g. a payment per MW capacity, or per MW produced, or in another way, for example, ‘in kind’ benefits)?


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• For what activities are the monies of the Community Benefit Scheme or

Fund used (e.g. community projects, sponsoring community events or

sports teams, etc)?

• Do you have any further comments about your engagement with

Community Benefit Schemes or Funds (e.g. do you think they work well, or do you think there are alternative ways that such funding could better be

distributed)?

The questions themselves were designed to capture quantitative data that allowed categorical analysis. The open question at the end was included to

gather richer, qualitative data. Quantitative categorical data was then reported as percentages for ease of comparison. Qualitative data was subjected to brief

content analysis categorising the substantive points to allow quantitative

presentation of the data, together with the quotation of representative statements.

ISSUES AND LIMITATIONS

We recognised that the sensitive nature of the data might limit responses, therefore research subjects were contacted in advance and assured that the

nature of the data was appreciated and would be treated sensitively and

constructively.

The inclusion of case studies afforded greater insights, as did gathering the

views of operators. Issues arising from these case studies and comments could provide the basis for further investigation in this area.

It is hoped this will also contribute to broader thinking about the way in which

Community Benefit Funds in Wales might be further developed.


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Structure of the ReportIn the remainder of this report we:

• Outline the context for the study;

• Present our findings; and

• Put forward our conclusions and make some recommendations for the

industry and policy-makers.


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ContextThis report is framed against the background of recent major pieces of Welsh Government legislation (and proposed legislation), and the undertaking of the

Banding Review for the Renewables Obligation by the Department of Energy and Climate Change.

Launched in March 2012, the Welsh Government’s Low Carbon Transition

programme has a general aim of ensuring investment delivers jobs, helping businesses maximise opportunities, and ensuring communities benefit from

energy developments by making Wales ‘best in class’. “[We will] act to ensure that communities benefit from renewable energy development and strive to be

exemplars,” - Energy Wales: A Low Carbon Transition (March 2012). “Wales,

like the rest of the world, is working hard to make the move to more sustainable, low carbon energy. It is vital that we do this in a way that is

sensitive to the needs of our communities, creates sustainable, local jobs and supports Wales’ wider economy,” Environment Minister John Griffiths1.

In July 2011 the Welsh Government’s Legislative Programme 2011-16

signalled their intention to introduce a Sustainable Development Bill to strengthen the approach of ‘One Wales: One Planet’ and change this

commitment to a legal duty. First Minister Carwyn Jones said: “Sustainability is...about defining the long term development path for our nation. It means

healthy, productive people; vibrant, inclusive communities; a diverse and

resilient environment and an advanced and innovative economy.”2

In addition, the Climate Change Strategy for Wales, introduced in October

2010, acknowledged the importance of economic development in tackling climate change: “We want to ensure that Wales is in the best possible position

to not only create new jobs and supply chain opportunities, but to take


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1 http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/firstminister/2012/120314energyvision/?lang=en

2 http://wales.gov.uk/topics/sustainabledevelopment/sdbill/?lang=en

http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/firstminister/2012/120314energyvision/?lang=en

http://wales.gov.uk/newsroom/firstminister/2012/120314energyvision/?lang=en

http://wales.gov.uk/topics/sustainabledevelopment/sdbill/?lang=en

http://wales.gov.uk/topics/sustainabledevelopment/sdbill/?lang=en

advantage of the potential to export energy, expertise, goods and services to

other nations seeking to make the transition to a low carbon economy.”3

The end of July 2012 saw the publication of the Banding Review for the Renewables Obligation by DECC4, which sets the Government’s main

mechanism for supporting large-scale renewables for the period 2013-17. The Renewables Obligation (RO) is part of the UK Government’s commitment to

increasing the deployment of renewable energy to make the UK more energy

secure, help protect consumers from fossil fuel price fluctuations, drive investment in new jobs and businesses in the renewable energy sector, as

well as to keep the UK on track to meet its carbon reduction objectives for the coming decades (the UK has committed to generating 15% of our energy from

renewable sources by 2020).

The RO is currently the main financial mechanism by which the Government incentivises the deployment of large-scale renewable electricity generation.

Support is granted for 20 years, which balances the need to provide investors with long-term certainty with the need to keep costs to consumers to a

minimum.

The level of support for onshore wind for the Banding Review period will be reduced to 0.9 Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs), guaranteed until

March 2014. However, the Government has undertaken a call for evidence, begun in September 2012 and reporting in early 2013, which will re-assess

onshore wind industry costs. If findings of the call for evidence identify a

significant change in generation costs, the Government will initiate an immediate review of onshore wind ROC levels, with any new support

arrangements for onshore wind taking effect from April 2014. As part of the call for evidence, they will examine how communities can have more of a say over,

and receive greater economic benefit from, hosting onshore wind farms.

The Banding Review has begun to focus the debate in monetary levels of community benefit funding. Although the value of payments are certainly

significant (renewables consultancy Regeneris cite that some developers are


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3 http://wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside/climatechange/publications/strategy/?lang=en

4 http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/wms_ro_lm/wms_ro_lm.aspx

http://wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside/climatechange/publications/strategy/?lang=en




http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/wms_ro_lm/wms_ro_lm.aspx

http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/wms_ro_lm/wms_ro_lm.aspx

proposing the equivalent of £5m over the lifetime of a 50MW scheme5), there

remains a general lack of clarity on the purpose and most effective use of the

payments.

CBFs are a unique way of developing a range of additional local community

benefits. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation cites a range of reasons for their positive outcomes, including the sharing of benefits of developments with host

communities, addressing social justice linking local resources with local

economies, and securing the support of local communities6.

RenewableUK’s community benefits protocol for England proposes a minimum

payment equivalent of £1,000 per MW of installed capacity, index linked to the RPI (for schemes over 5 MW). Setting this minimum figure was meant to help

ensure that smaller developers were not disadvantaged given the pressures

being placed on the costs of onshore wind and the risk of further reductions to ROCs and FIT levels. However, developers can offer significantly larger

amounts than the minimum and in reality the value of benefits over recent years has increased significantly with £5,000 per MW frequently being offered

on schemes by developers and operators keenly interested in the success of

local communities, which in many cases is equivalent to around 6-7% of their development costs. As a comparison it is worth noting that John Lewis - widely

held as an exemplar of Community Benefit - contribute approximately 0.25% of their turnover to such schemes7.

Against this background there is potentially a need for more information for

developers, and indeed communities, so that they may look at a range of ways in which community benefits can be negotiated, administered and distributed,

making all parties better equipped to develop the best possible framework for new projects across Wales, as well as a realisation by policy-makers, Local

Authorities, and local communities of the financial constraints which

developers are under given the cost of bringing schemes on-stream.

The objective of this report is to improve information on community benefits in

Wales. Although, as mentioned above, communities are becoming more aware


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5 http://regeneris.co.uk/latest/blog/entry/money-on-the-wind-the-future-of-wind-farm-community-benefits

6 http://www.jrf.org.uk/publications/wind-energy-disadvantaged-communities

7 http://www.johnlewispartnership.co.uk/content/dam/cws/pdfs/financials/interim%20reports/john_lewis_partnership_interim_report_2012.pdf

http://regeneris.co.uk/latest/blog/entry/money-on-the-wind-the-future-of-wind-farm-community-benefits




http://www.jrf.org.uk/publications/wind-energy-disadvantaged-communities

http://www.jrf.org.uk/publications/wind-energy-disadvantaged-communities

http://www.johnlewispartnership.co.uk/content/dam/cws/pdfs/financials/interim%20reports/john_lewis_partnership_interim_report_2012.pdf




of CBFs and their potential impact, there is also an important role for current

developments informing best practice of future ones (including the

identification of local factors which may, for good reason, cause differences in the operation of different CBFs). This greater openness has, for example,

been highlighted as important by the Scottish Government8, leading to the introduction of a database for payments in Scotland. Of overriding importance,

however, is the need for good quality information on the way in which

community benefits are being used and managed and the impacts they are achieving for local communities. Developers, communities and other

stakeholders need to learn from this evidence.

It is important to understand the way CBF resources are being used, and to

ask questions about whether their allocation could be undertaken in a more

strategic way. Even if many of them are responding to very specific and very local needs, they still may be better spent in an overall socio-economic context

according to the communities which they serve (see the chart on the next page) by, for example, using the funding to leverage monies from other

funding streams (e.g. European Social Fund, Welsh Government, etc). There

may also be question marks regarding the awareness that some funds themselves have of such opportunities, which may potentially provide greater

and more lasting benefits.


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8 http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Business-Industry/Energy/Energy-sources/19185/Communities

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Business-Industry/Energy/Energy-sources/19185/Communities





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FindingsThe total number of responses to the study was 21 out of a possible 37, representing a 56% response rate. Of those who did not respond, many are at

the smaller end of the scale in terms of contributions to CBFs, although some larger wind farms are operated or owned by large financial institutions (for

example, hedge funds or private equity funds) which makes information-

gathering problematic.

It is important to recognise that RenewableUK Cymru is a member-led

organisation, which builds consensus with stakeholders and raises awareness among the general public. As such the organisation has a standing within the

industry which allows far-reaching access to those operating renewables

projects on a day-to-day basis. Detailed information was provided from the bulk of this membership, while those not involved with RenewableUK at a

membership level (i.e. financial institutions) were less likely to provide a response. A full list of the details of respondents can be found in Appendix 1.

Of the ones which did respond, the following table shows the type of

development involved and whether it contributes to a CBF:

Name of wind farm

Capacity Age of wind farm

Operating CBF scheme?

Alltwalis 23MW 2 years Yes

Wern Ddu 9.2MW 2 years Yes

Hafoty Ucha 3.15 MW 8 years Yes

Vestas 575kW 9 years Yes

Nordtank 575kW 4 years Yes

Carno II 15.6 MW 3 years Yes

Llandinam 30MW 20 years Yes

Bryn Titli 9.9MW 18 years Yes

Carno 33.6MW 16 years Yes

The value of onshore wind farm Community Benefit Funds to Wales | RenewableUK Cmyru

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Ffynnon Oer 33MW 6 years Yes

Llyn Alaw 20.4MW 15 years Yes

Maesgwyn 26MW 18 months Yes

Mynydd Gorddu 10.2MW 14 years Yes

Trysglwyn 5.6MW 14 years Yes

Taff Ely 9MW 19 years Yes

Cefn Croes 58.5 MW 8 years Yes

Rhyd-Y-Groes 7.2MW 20 years No

Moel Moelogan 11.7MW 4 years Yes

Castle Pill 3.2MW 3 years No

Ferndale 6.4MW 2 years No

Dyffryn Brodyn 5.5MW 18 years No

As we can see from the above, table, the vast majority of wind farm

developments (80%) contribute to a CBF:


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20%

80%

How many wind farms operate a Community Benefit Fund or Scheme?

NoYes

“Our system works quite well as technically it is an ‘ownership’ arrangement with profit sharing rather than a ‘benefits’ payment from a developer. However, we are a voluntary committee and it is difficult to run the business.

We believe there should be more ownership than there currently is, and that all developers should establish

mechanisms for part local ownership so that communities can become direct beneficiaries and to enhance their experience of having wind farms nearby.

We also believe that benefits funds should be targeted by communities at local energy resilience and low carbon / energy efficiency measures, as well as regeneration activities. Much more work needs doing in building our awareness for considerable changes to our use of energy and where we get it from if we are to take the issue of tackling climate change seriously and act in earnest.”

Michael Phillips, Bro Dyfi Community Renewables

CASE STUDY ONE

Local Electricity Discount Scheme

The Local Electricity Discount Scheme (LEDS)9 is a new RES initiative which seeks to deliver direct and tangible benefits to people living and working closest to their proposed wind farms.

LEDS will be offered as an additional benefit to RES’ Community Benefit Funds, which at its new sites provide £2,000 per megawatt (MW) annual contributions to local communities. It is proposed that total LEDS payments for a site will be £3,000 per MW per year. If LEDS costs less than £3,000 per MW per year then the difference will be added to the Community Benefit Fund, meaning an overall community benefit of £5,000 per MW per year.

Under the proposed LEDS initiative those residential, community and business properties closest to a proposed RES wind farm will each receive a minimum discount of £100 per year off their electricity bills, which will be paid directly to their electricity supplier. This minimum figure represents almost a quarter of the average annual electricity bill in the UK (£453 in 2011 based on the latest figures released by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, DECC, 29 March 2012). Payments would commence once the wind farm is operational.

The precise area, and number of properties, qualifying for a LEDS scheme will vary from site to site, taking into consideration factors such as the number and capacity of wind turbines proposed and housing density around the wind farm.

The catchment area for each RES LEDS scheme is calculated by taking a straight line distance - the Set Distance - from each wind turbine (initially set at three


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9 http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Windfarm-plan-brings-benefits/story-16745570-detail/story.html

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Windfarm-plan-brings-benefits/story-16745570-detail/story.html




kilometres) and identifying all the postcode geographic boundaries (as defined by Ordnance Survey) with properties on or within this Set Distance to form the Qualifying Area. The Set Distance may be increased or decreased to ensure that the properties within the final Qualifying Area will receive a discount of at least £100 per year.

LEDS at Bryn Llywelyn

RES presented its first LEDS scheme at its proposed site in Bryn Llywelyn in Carmarthenshire. This follows initial consultation with the local community around the Bryn Llywelyn site which indicated that almost 80 per cent of respondents supported the idea of discounted electricity and almost 75 per cent would be interested in participating in such a scheme. If LEDS is successful at Bryn Llywelyn it is anticipated that it could be launched at other RES wind farms that are in development later in 2012.

LEDS at Bryn Llywelyn will provide an annual discount to the electricity bills of properties close to RES’ proposed wind farm, if it becomes operational. The scheme is open to all residential, commercial and community buildings (including schools, churches and village halls) within the eligible area that have an electricity meter. An annual discount of £225 will be applied to each property’s electricity bill, paid directly to their electricity supplier, once the wind farm is operational. In addition, LEDS are offering a Community Benefit Fund of almost £100,000 per year, which will support local groups and initiatives.

RES has written to all qualifying properties directly, offering them the opportunity to register interest in joining the discount scheme. At Bryn Llywelyn, the discount is available to properties within three and a half kilometres of each proposed wind turbine. The discount will be available to all properties within the qualifying area regardless of people’s opinion on the proposed wind farm. However, the discount will only be implemented if the wind farm is approved and constructed.

The annual discount will apply once the wind farm is fully operational, which could take between two and four years from planning consent being granted. It will be paid for the full lifetime of the turbines, or for as long as people live within the qualifying area.

There are several ways residents register their interest in LEDS at Bryn Llywelyn, and by using the Unique Reference Code in a letter each gets sent, they can either contact via mail, telephone, email, or online. The discount is paid per property only, and therefore only one person per property needs to register.


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Entities employed to administer CBFsCommunity benefit negotiations often result in annual cash payments to communities throughout the lifetime of the renewable energy scheme. This

offers the community a significant opportunity to plan for and develop community initiatives that could have long-term, lasting benefit. It also gives

rise, however, to a number of considerations that need to be addressed:

• Establishing a vision for the fund and involving the entire community in decision-making: How will all sectors of the community be given the

opportunity to decide on the way that community benefit funds are used and managed? Some key elements of the fund’s purpose, organisation and

operation need to be acceptable to the community at large and this should

be decided by appropriate community consultation.

• The choice of a legal entity – i.e. who actually receives the payment? Is it

the Community Council, Trust, Forum, company, or a local steering group? Should it be a specific legal entity, set up to accept payment and carry the

responsibility that goes along with owning funds, and if so, what type of

legal entity should it be ?

• Managing community benefit funds – i.e. what happens to the money when

it is received? What does this entity do with the money? What are its objectives? Should these objectives be exclusively charitable in nature?

What are the tax implications? Can tax be avoided?


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Overall, some 34 separate entities benefit from the contributions of the

respondents:

From the diagram above it can be seen that entities such as foundations and

trusts - along with town and community councils - are the preferred vehicles

for CBFs. The advantage of trusts and foundations is that they can be set up to be community-led organisations, often managed by a board of trustees or a

steering group, is open in terms of its administration, and can incorporate observers from local authorities and wind farm operators. They usually provide

some measure of economic, environmental, educational, social or cultural

benefit for people living in the area.

There are two main models for a Legal Entity associated with a Town or

Community Council which are most commonly considered for the administration of community benefit funds:

• A Company incorporated under the Companies Acts with limited liability,

where the limitation as to liability is by a Guarantee, and where the Members of the Company each undertake to pay on a specified date, or on

the happening of a specified event (usually the winding up of the Company), such an amount up to a fixed sum (usually £1) as may be required to settle

any outstanding debts of the Company, such Guarantee Companies being

commonly, although not invariably, used for charitable purposes.

Foundations/Trusts/Forums Town/Community CouncilsLocal Community Projects (directly) One-off donationsCharities Social EnterprisesPrivate Companies Local Authority

0

5

10

15

Entities


22

• A Local Community Trust set up by the local community the purpose of

which is to receive, administer, and distribute funds on behalf of the

community through trustees appointed by the community.

Confusion can sometimes arise as both models are commonly referred to as

“trusts”, although only the second model is a trust in the true legal sense. Despite having separate legal status to a Trust, communities adopting the

Company Limited by Guarantee model often name the organisation “[Local]

Community Trust” – hence the common confusion.

Other notable channels of contribution are to the Bro Dyfi Community

Renewables scheme (a community energy co-operative registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts) through a share interest dividend and

donation respectively (by the operator of the BDCR II development);

contributions made at the discretion of the operator (as in the case of Hafoty Ucha); and through a professional grant-making charity (i.e. the Taff Ely

development who make contributions via Community Foundation Wales).

“Funds shall be applied for the benefit of the residents of the communities. The funds should aim to promote

community spirit and bring people together; enhance quality of life and promote people’s well-being; and foster vibrant, sustainable communities. The funds should not be used for polit ical, religious,

entertainment or hospitality purposes, or for any purpose adverse to the wind farm operator's interests. We

are keen that the funds are used to secure other grants and funds on a matched-funding basis, allowing the community to secure maximum benefit from the wind farm contributions.”

Monika Paplaczyk, Triodos Renewables (Wern Ddu) Ltd

CASE STUDY TWO

Windfall

Windfall (officially called the Mid Wales Community Energy Trust) collects a proportion of the revenue from energy generation in Mid Wales and redistributes it among local communities. This money is offered as grants for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects to communities across Mid Wales. The basic income is supplemented with income from landfill operators, through the Landfill Communities Fund, to maximise the financial capacity of the scheme. Windfall is a not-for-profit company set up specifically to fulfil these aims.


23

Kick-started with money from RWE npower renewables and ENTRUST, Windfall secured £104,000 for its first projects in 2005. As a result, the communities of Carno and Trefeglwys enjoy the benefits of renewable energy systems such as wood energy and photovoltaic systems. In addition, educational programmes have been part of this scheme.

Building on this success, Windfall plans to extend its operation to deliver benefits to other communities across Mid Wales. While the Trust recognises the value of local Funds with very broad community benefit criteria, it offers itself to current and potential energy generators as a vehicle to complement these, by delivering low carbon benefits from renewable energy through community action.


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Contribution methodsIn all, there were four distinct methods of payment, and some 32 ‘channels’ of payments, which were as follows: percentage of profits (1); per MW installed

(6); fixed payments (24); and in-kind (1):

Fixed payments are the most common form of contribution, and the amounts

quoted were as follows:

Wind Farm Base level of payment / to which entity

Actual level of payment (2011)

Alltwalis £75,000 per annum index linked / Alltwalis Wind

Farm Community Benefit Trust Fund

£78,600

BDCR II 5-10% of profits / Ecodyfi Undisclosed

Bryn Titli £2,500 / Town Council

£2,500 / Community Council

£3,530.38

£3,530.38

0 10 20 30

% of profits

Per MW installed

Fixed payments

In kind


25

Carno 2 £2,000 per MW installed, per annum indexed

linked / Carno Community Trust Fund

£2,000 per MW installed, per annum indexed

linked / Llanbrynmair Local Community Trust

Fund

£2,000 per MW installed, per annum indexed linked / Mid Wales

Community Energy Fund (Windfall)

£6,000

£6,000

£20,000

Carno 'A' & 'B' £12,000 / Carno Community Council

£18,156.08

Cefn Croes £1000 per MW, index linked / Cefn Croes Community Trust

£72,240

Ffynnon Oer £22,000 / Upper Afan Forum

£25,978.84

Hafoty Ucha £1k per MW installed / contributions made at the

discretion of the owner

£4,000

Llandinam P & L £5,000 / Celtpower ltd

£20,000 / Llandinam Community Trust

£5,000

£20,000

Llyn Alaw £16,000 / Tref Alaw Community Council

£4,000 / Llannerch y Medd Community Council

£4,000 / Mechell Community Council

£2,000 / Community Foundation Wales

£23,059.1

£5,776.98

£5,776.98

£2,000

Maesgwyn £175,000pa / Neath Port Talbot County Borough

Council

£175,000


26

Moel Maelogen Extension £50k per year x 3 years / Nant Conwy Rugby Club

£50k per year x 2 years / Dyffryn Conwy Rural

Enterprise

£7.5k per year for life (indexed) / Bro Garmon

Community Council

£7.5k per year for life (indexed) / Bro Cernyw

Community Council

£50,000

£50,000

£7,500

£7,500

Mynydd Gorddu £10,000 / Amgen £14,670.38

Taff Ely £2,500 / Community Foundation Wales

£2,500

Trysglwyn £5,000 / Rhosybol Community Council

£7,035.18

Wern Ddu (Craig Lelo) £3,333 / Derwen Community Council

£3,333

£3,333

£3,333

£3,333

£3,333

The total disclosed amounts awarded in 2011 were £623,853.30.

“They work well up to a certain limit. Most wind farms are built in rural areas where employment is the problem.

We need to attract businesses to rural areas so that we can keep youngsters in the area. If money is given to local people to fit energy saving devices such as heat recovery systems, heat pumps, etc

perhaps we could attract a company making such equipment to set up in the area. Throwing large amounts

of cash at communities can have an adverse effect and should be avoided at all costs. Also all the money will do is replace funding previously provided by councils and Welsh Government which is letting them off the hook, especially when the wind industry does not enjoy much support from them!”

Huw Smallwood, Tegni Ltd


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CASE STUDY THREE

Cefn Croes Wind Farm Community Trust Fund

The Cefn Croes Wind Farm Community Trust Fund is a Charitable Trust funded by Cambrian Wind Energy aimed at small community led organisations. Priority will be given to projects in the Community Council Areas of Blaenrheidol and Pontarfynach and then to the wider area of the County of Ceredigion. The fund is managed by a board of five Trustees representing Cambrian Wind Energy and the Communities of Blaenrheidol and Pontarfynach.

The purpose of the Trust is to support any type of activity that involves local people, through small community organisations, that benefits their community. The activities must provide some measure of economic, environmental, educational, social or cultural benefit for people living in the area. Cambrian Wind Energy will pay £58,500 plus inflation annually into the Trust Fund while the Cefn Croes wind farm is operational.

In order to apply for funding, projects have to go through an application procedure. The relevant documentation is online, which consists of a full copy of the application guidelines10; a copy of the application form itself11; and a copy of the fund’s End Of Project report, which is used for evaluation purposes12. There is also a detailed breakdown of the funds allocated so far in order to see the type of schemes supported13.


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10 http://ponterwyd.pumlumon.org.uk/assets/File/Cefn_Croes_Application_Guidelines_Jan10.pdf

11 http://ponterwyd.pumlumon.org.uk/assets/File/Cefn_croes_Trust_Fund_Application_Jan10.pdf

12 http://ponterwyd.pumlumon.org.uk/assets/File/CefnCroesendofproject.pdf

13 http://ponterwyd.pumlumon.org.uk/index.php?lang=eng&page=104

http://ponterwyd.pumlumon.org.uk/assets/File/Cefn_Croes_Application_Guidelines_Jan10.pdf












Register of wind farm CBFs in WalesAs part of the Scottish Government Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES), Community Energy Scotland are administering the Scottish

Government Register of Community Benefits from Renewables. This is a valuable tool in helping communities through the community benefit process.

By demonstrating the range of ways in which community benefits can be

negotiated, administered and distributed, the Scottish Government hopes that communities and developers will be well equipped to develop the best

possible framework for new renewable projects across Scotland.

The Register details fund spend, and provides ideas and advice for

communities seeking to ensure their funds are spent wisely. Anyone can

access the database14 and find out what is happening across Scotland, which encourages the transparency of schemes, and the sharing of ideas and

experiences. Community Energy Scotland will also be using the information to study more closely what is happening in the field. The Register is voluntary,

and relies on communities and developers sharing their experiences and

lessons learnt. Providers of community benefit funds are encouraged to fill in the relevant form15.

On the following page are screenshots demonstrating the typical level of information which is available.

A basic starting-point for such information regarding a register of wind farm

community benefit funds in Wales, detailing fund value and administrative arrangements, has been compiled from the respondents of this study.


29

14 http://www.communityenergyscotland.org.uk/register

15 http://www.communitybenefitregister.org.uk/form.aspx?formtype=1





“Amegni is a local company set up by farmers who have diversified and live in the local community. We own and

operate a 15.6 MW wind farm and our long-term goal is to maintain and keep the benefits from the project locally – hence we believe that local ownership like this is a form of community benefit in its own right

(but rarely recognised as so!). As a local company we are continually asked to sponsor and contribute to various

community events, projects and help fund organisations which we continually do so over and above the formal payments made.


30

It is unfortunate and unreasonable to only target community benefits at wind farms as very few other industries make such contributions to the communities they operate in. As a local company we do however find the local community very supportive to the wind farm and our company - this is probably in part to the fact that we are a local company but more so they get to share the benefit with us.”

Sion Thomas, Amegni

CASE STUDY FOUR

An example from Offshore Wind: The Rhyl Flats Offshore Wind Farm Community Benefit Package

In association with the Rhyl Flats Offshore Wind Farm, a community fund has been set up to assist local community projects in wards neighbouring the wind farm. The annual fund started at a base level of £90,000, it is index linked each year in line with inflation and will be available throughout the operational life of the wind farm.

To maximise the benefit for local communities, RWE npower renewables has worked in partnership with the Welsh Government to develop an administration arrangement for this fund that presents local communities with easier access to wider funding options through one simple application form.

Depending on where community groups are based, they could be eligible to access funds from both the Rhyl Flats Offshore Wind Farm Community Benefits Package, and the North Wales Coast Regeneration Area (RA) Community Cohesion Fund, funded by the Welsh Government, in some cases using the same application form. Collectively this gives groups access to a combined fund of £1million per annum to support both capital and revenue elements of projects. Groups in Rhyl have access to both the North Hoyle and Rhyl Flats Offshore Wind Farm Community Benefit Funds which are administered by the same organisation, Denbighshire Coastal Partnership.

• The base level of the annual fund is £90,000 per year throughout the operational life of the wind farm, normally expected to be in the region of 25 years.

• The fund is Index linked each year in line with the retail price index.• £75,000 pa is ring-fenced for the following wards in Conwy: Pensarn, Colwyn,

Eirias, Gele, Glyn, Kinmel Bay, Llanddulas, Llandrillo yn Rhos, Llysfaen, Mochdre, Pentre Mawr, Rhiw & Towyn.

• £15,000 pa is ring-fenced for Rhyl.• The scheme’s fund capital and / or revenue projects are run by charities,

community and voluntary groups

Administration of the Rhyl Flats Offshore Wind Farm Community Fund

The Conwy part of the fund is administered alongside the existing North Wales Coast Regeneration Area (RA) Community Cohesion Fund, funded by the Welsh Government. These arrangements will exist for the life of the Community Cohesion Fund. Their aim is to agree an appropriate administration structure to take over after the end of the RA Community Cohesion Fund for the remaining operational life of the wind farm.

The Rhyl part of the fund is administered by the Denbighshire Coastal Partnership – the current administrators of the existing Community Fund in association with North Hoyle Offshore Wind Farm. Decisions on how the funding is allocated are made by


31

the Rhyl Community Partnership, a fully constituted group made up of local volunteers, representing the town council, voluntary sector, local business community, residents associations and police.


32

Additional commentsAdditional comments collected during the study are as follows:

“We currently deliver over £1.4 million per annum of community benefit across our UK portfolio of construction and

operational Projects.

Our community benefit is administered by a variety of trusts, community interest companies, social regeneration

enterprises and local authorities. Our best practice model from our community benefit portfolio is where communities

have created an area-specific community interest company and directly administer the funds themselves. This has led to

substantial regeneration projects being conceived and achieved for the good of the Region and not just specific communities. Developer input at the beginning and regular engagement is essential to ensure the funding criteria are in accordance with both parties’ requirements.

A third party body to provide secretariat and assistance with general administration and reporting is also essential to ensure not only that criteria are being adhered to, but also to assist with the realisation of larger projects that may be available via match funding the Community Benefit with other applicable funding streams, etc.

An empowered group of communities surrounding onshore wind sites in receipt of Community Benefit may require an initial one or two year period to address the ‘normal’ community concerns e.g. village hall maintenance etc, but our experience has shown that given proper support the same communities will, in a very short time, begin to conceive and implement strategic economic and environmental Projects for their wider area.”

Daniel Ferrier, Celtpower Ltd (Scottish Power Renewables & Eurus Energy)

“Aspects of our community benefit funds which work well:To date relatively modest levels of funding which can make a

really significant positive impact on the immediate local area;Engagement of local representatives in decision making – empowering local people have more control over their

own destiny;Funding arrangements are bespoke tailored to individual

communities;Innovative partnership with Welsh Government – wind farm

community funding administered alongside WG regeneration area funding, 2 funds – 1 simple application form, funds can match each other, wind farm funding can fund revenue projects excluded from WG funding.

Alternative options for the future:We are constantly striving to improve our delivery of community benefits and as such are already engaging in many of these initiatives;Considering structures we have used in other areas of the UK more recently;Increased and earlier consultation with local communities and key stakeholders;


33

Careful consideration of public perception of new delivery mechanisms / focuses;New approach more aligned to the increased levels of funding available;Focus on securing match funding;Consideration of benefits for wider regional areas;Closer alignment with local, regional and national strategy;Increased focus on economic development including jobs and skills;Possible collaboration amongst developers;This is still local communities’ biggest opportunity to influence wind energy developments – care not to exclude them from this process;Remember that small local grants can still make a big difference and where appropriate should be considered as part of an overall package;Better industry collaboration in demonstrating the benefits already delivered by wind energy.”

Katy Woodington, RWE npower renewables


34

Conclusions and RecommendationsRenewable energy projects are already bringing a range of community benefits in addition to generating clean and sustainable energy. These include

increased job opportunities and improvements to the built and natural environment. In addition, there are a wide range of Community Benefit Funds

operating in Wales which contribute extremely positively to local communities

across the country. Established local funds should be seen as a way of saying ‘thank you’ to the communities which host wind farms and other renewable

energy schemes.

We can conclude from the data we have gathered that:

• Approximately four out of every five wind farms operating in Wales

contribute to their local communities in a structured way;

• Many different entities benefit from wind farm contributions (a total of 34

were identified through 20 responses);

• CBFs in Wales are mainly administered through localised trusts (or similar

bodies), or Community Councils;

• The most common form of wind farm operator payment is through fixed amounts, followed by a calculated per MW installed; and

• Total disclosed amounts awarded to CBFs or similar in 2011 were £623,853.30.

In light of current political agendas, the time may have arrived where onshore

wind farm developers might want to ensure that specific benefits from their programmes are delivered to communities in a more high-profile and

transparent way, in order to more effectively demonstrate the positive outcomes which they produce.


35

The document ‘Delivering community benefits from wind energy development:

A Toolkit’16 outlines a number of different factors which should be taken into

account when designing a community benefit scheme:

• Why should community benefits be considered?

• What are the costs, risks and rewards of wind energy and how do community benefits fit into this picture?

• What is the relationship between community benefits and the planning

process?

• What are the different ways community benefits can be offered?

• Who should benefit and how should this be controlled and managed?

• What agreements can and should be put in place to secure these benefits?

The advice stresses the importance of concentrating on the benefits which will

be delivered ‘in the round’. It may be advantageous for operators involved with CBFs to revisit the strategic direction of their schemes in order to ensure they

are aligned with wider prevailing economic policy. For example, the LEDS case study outlined previously (Case Study One; page 19) would potentially

appeal to residents in the area of its operation, but may not necessarily appeal

to Welsh Government policy with regards to promoting energy efficiency. If, however, the scheme had been developed in conjunction with, for example,

the Welsh Government, then it could have been coupled with the Arbed scheme17 to coordinate investment into the energy performance of Welsh

homes.

CBFs should ensure that they are suitable for industry and communities, and that they are managed in a ‘smart’ way. One such way is to explore the

possibility of ‘leveraging in’ funding from different streams (e.g. ESF, Welsh Government, JobCentre Plus). The Rhyl Flats Offshore Wind Farm Community

Benefit Package (Case Study Four; page 31), for example, incorporates a

Community Cohesion Fund, funded by the Welsh Government, and in some cases through the same application form. Collectively this gives community

groups access to a combined fund of £1 million per annum to support both capital and revenue elements of projects, thereby maximising spend enabling


36

16 http://www.cse.org.uk/downloads/file/Delivering%20community%20benefits%20from%20wind%20energy%20-%20a%20tookit.pdf

17 http://wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside/energy/efficiency/arbed/?lang=en

http://www.cse.org.uk/downloads/file/Delivering%20community%20benefits%20from%20wind%20energy%20-%20a%20tookit.pdf




http://wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside/energy/efficiency/arbed/?lang=en

http://wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside/energy/efficiency/arbed/?lang=en

bigger projects and scalability. There is a role for Welsh Government in

offering advice to CBFs in the most effective way their funding can be used,

perhaps through a vehicle such as Community Energy Wales or Mid Wales Community Energy Fund (Windfall).

There is also a need to ensure that CBFs are attuned to economic imperatives as well as continuing the local social benefits which they clearly bring. CBFs

could be used for more strategic regional economic development objectives:

for example, voluntary arrangements could support regional economic development, job creation, and skills enhancement. One suggestion would be

the creation of a 25-year Strategic Search Area (SSA) investment fund for each SSA, which would have a strategic regional governance model looking at

regionally important economic issues and garnering input from organisations

such as the Regional Economic Fora. Such vehicles could be set up as trust funds with developers being invited to pay a share of their CBF into it which

could then leverage matched funding (e.g. European funds), or government top-ups. These SSA funds would ensure a focus on regional economic

development issues, and not just local issues in often relatively sparsely-

populated communities.

The Welsh Government should help developers and communities choose the

right CBF vehicle for their particular circumstances and to make the most effective use of the monies to be allocated, possibly through the introduction of

‘CBF Advisors’ to enable their link to potential funding which often

accompanies government initiatives.

Welsh Government should also fund an official public-facing registry (similar to

the Scottish model) which would encourage the sharing of best practice, ideas and experiences. They should fund a further registry which would list wind

farm applications that have been approved but not yet constructed, and the

type of CBF arrangements that were being put in place or proposed. This would enable local and regional groups to put forward their own proposals to

work with the CBF going forward.

Vehicles used to deliver CBFs should ensure transparency of their operations.

For example, as best practice the trust or Community Council involved should

establish a public-facing website showing the raison d’etre of the scheme, listing how money has been allocated, and on what basis, as well as contact

details. In addition, a reasonable level of monies from the CBF should be set


37

aside to ensure that the CBF is promoted at a local level and that local

communities are made aware of its operations. Both of these

recommendations are in the best interests of the industry so that good works are not just done but also seen to be done.

The debate regarding a community benefits protocol in England has specified a £1,000 minimum payment per year per megawatt of installed wind power

during the lifetime of the wind farm. In Wales, the above recommendations

should make this debate largely irrelevant. Our vision should be for well-thought-out and well-run schemes with clear objectives, that draw in various

partners to leverage maximum funding, and that are transparent and accessible to communities and stakeholders. This should be the way forward

for the industry, working closely alongside communities at a micro level, and

with Welsh Government at a macro level.

One should not underestimate the value of CBFs themselves, or the wind

farms which they represent. Some 8,600 jobs were provided by the onshore wind industry in 2011, with £548 million added to the UK economy, according

to a joint study published by RenewableUK and the Department for Energy

and Climate Change18. It found that the real value that wind provides (close to £700,000 for every MW installed in the UK) is over £100,000 within the Local

Authority area. CBFs are a vital component in showing local communities not just the environmental benefits of renewable energy but also local economic

benefit. The focus must be on how these communities can extract maximum

benefit and, in particular, the vital part that CBFs play in this dynamic.


38

18 http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/meeting-energy-demand/wind/5585-economic-benefits-onshore-wind-full-pn.pdf

http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/11/meeting-energy-demand/wind/5585-economic-benefits-onshore-wind-full-pn.pdf




Appendix 1

39

Name of company: Triodos Renewbales (Wern Ddu) Ltd

Name of the windfarm operated: Wern Ddu wind farm

MW capacity of windfarm operated: 9.2MW

Approximate age of windfarm development operated:

2 years

Name and position of respondent: Monika Paplaczyk, Investment Manager

Name of company: Tegni Ltd

Name of the windfarm operated: Hafoty Ucha (Ll21 0RL)

MW capacity of windfarm operated: 3.15 MW


8 years

Name and position of respondent: Huw Smallwood (Owner)

Name of company: Bro Dyfi Community Renewables

Name of the windfarms operated: Vestas & Nordtank (SY20 8AX)

MW capacity of windfarms operated: 575kW

Approximate age of windfarm developments operated:

9 years and 4 years respectively

Name and position of respondent: Michael Phillips, management committee

Name of company: Amegni

Name of the windfarm operated: Carno II (SY17 5JS)



3 years

Name and position of respondent: Sion Thomas – Owner / Operator

40

Name of company: Celtpower Ltd (Scottish Power Renewables & Eurus Energy)

Name of the windfarm operated: Llandinam (National Grid Ref SO 028836)

MW capacity of windfarm operated: 30MW


20 years

Name and position of respondent: Daniel Ferrier – Assistant Project Manager

Name of company: RWE npower renewables

Name of the windfarms operated: Bryn Titli; Carno; Ffynnon Oer; Llyn Alaw; Mynydd Gorddu; Trysglwyn; Taff Ely

MW capacity of windfarm operated: 9.9MW; 33.6MW; 33MW; 20.4MW; 10.2MW; 5.6MW; 9MW


18 years; 16 years; 6 years; 15 years; 14 years; 14 years; 19 years

Name and position of respondent: Katy Woodington, Senior Community Investment Officer

Name of company: EC&R (joint venture between EC&R and Eurus Energy)

Name of the windfarm operated: Rhyd-Y-Groes



20 years

Name and position of respondent: Jonn Barnes, Senior Originator

41

Name of company: Moelogan 2 Ccc

Name of the windfarm operated: Moel Moelogan (LL28 5UN)



4 years

Name and position of respondent: Geraint Davies, Owner/operator

Name of company: Cambrian Wind Energy Limited

Name of the windfarm operated: Cefn Croes Windfarm (SY23 3LE)



8 years

Name and position of respondent: Roger Jones, Asset Manager

Name of company: Infinergy

Name of the windfarm operated: Castle Pill wind farm (SA73) + Ferndale wind farm (CF43)

MW capacity of windfarm operated: Castle Pill (3.2MW) + Ferndale (6.4MW)


Castle Pill (3 years) + Ferndale (2 years)

Name and position of respondent: Lorraine Dallmeier, Project Director

Name of company: RES

Name of the windfarm operated: Dyffryn Brodyn (SA34 0JE)



18 years

Name and position of respondent: Samantha Mayes, Community Relations Co-ordinator

42

Name of company: Pennant Walters Maesgwyn Ltd

Name of the windfarm operated: Maesgwyn (SA10)



18 months

Name and position of respondent: Dale Hart, Director

Name of company: Statkraft

Name of the windfarm operated: Alltwalis (SA32 7ED)



2-and-a-half years

Name and position of respondent: Rob Fellows (Community Relations Adviser)

43

Technology

Community benefits in Wales