by Thistle Wind Partners –
Thistle Wind Partners, a leading developer of fixed and floating wind farms in Scotland,
is reflecting on a successful year of positive community funding in its two ScotWind project areas.
Throughout 2024, the TWP team worked to develop relationships and engage with the local communities in proximity to its Bowdun development, approximately 44km from Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire, and its Ayre windfarm 57km off the Caithness coast, the east of Orkney.
Beyond town hall events, information days, supply chain events, and its interactive digital engagement space, the TWP team focussed on providing financial support for local area projects and promoting STEM skills to support schools and the wide communities involved.
Ian Taylor, TWP project director, said: “As a windfarm developer, science and technology are central to our company’s work. Sharing our passion by encouraging children to develop their STEM Skills in related subjects has been a natural way for TWP to add real value to the young people of the communities we work in. Skills development is crucial to the future of our industry, and these young people are the
next generation of experts in offshore wind.
“During 2024, we engaged with approximately 5,700 people through our STEM work – collaborating with Aberdeen Science Centre, participating in science festivals, young engineering events and school visits in Orkney, Aberdeen, Caithness, Inverness and Edinburgh.”
Community projects across the Bowdun and Ayre project regions have also benefited from financial donations of over £30,500. In 2024, TWP engaged closely with organisations to ensure that funding was targeted at causes having a clear, sustainable impact in local communities.
The Northsound Radio Mission Christmas appeal received £3,500 to support children living in poverty in the Aberdeenshire area. TWP will be contributing £2,300 to the Platinum Jubilee Coastal Pathways to support the restoration of the path. The developer also provided £2,000 of financial support to Stonehaven RNLI, recognising its lifesaving work.
Stonehaven groups benefiting
Some £2,000 has been targeted to support Stonehaven and surrounding districts’ youth to give a helping hand to those less fortunate. This funding has been committed to supporting several groups in the project’s region including Dunnottar Pipe and Drums, HomeStart Kincardine and Forest View Day Centre.
Kirsty MacAulay, TWP community engagement manager, said: “We are looking forward to building on the relationships we have developed with some of the most incredible groups in Aberdeenshire throughout 2025 and beyond. TWP is committed to making a positive, sustainable impact to these areas and those who live and work in them.
“We’re particularly delighted to have been able to help the Mearns Coastal Heritage Trail (MERCHAT) group which is working to develop and protect the low-lying coastal path between Johnshaven and St Cyrus.”
The Aberdeenshire Coastal Trail project is entirely dependent on fundraising to develop and maintain the trail. MERCHAT have welcomed Thistle Wind Partners’ helpm towards managing erosion on the low-lying coast near where the Bowdun Windfarm project plans to make landfall.
Wind power made up 30% of the UK’s energy mix in 2024, and with a target to reach an offshore wind capacity of 50GW by 2030, projects including TWP’s Bowdun and Ayre windfarms are critical components of Scotland’s energy transition.
Feature image courtesy of Thistle Wind Partners