ABERDEENSHIRE Council has issued a charter indicating the level of broad economic benefit expected from renewable energy developers – and the Scottish Government has published proposals detailing the hard cash that should be paid to communities. So should Stonehaven start negotiating it’s way to a brighter future?
With the proposed Hurlie substation and Bowdun Wind Farm already in the planning system the council is seeing a significant increase in planning applications for large energy developments. On the horizon there are Bellrock and Aspen Offshore Wind Farms along with an extension to the existing Fetteresso Forest substation, a revised Craigneil submission, and the Glenskinnan Energy Park nearer Strachan.
The local authority says these are ‘once-in-a-generation developments offering large-scale investment, new jobs and major changes to the landscape’.
Paul Macari, Head of Planning and Economy at Aberdeenshire Council, said: “Aberdeenshire is at the heart of energy transition – from carbon capture to offshore wind to solar investments – and there is significant economic interest in the region for both generating and transmitting energy.
“We fully appreciate that the new energy infrastructure we are already seeing commissioned will reshape parts of Aberdeenshire, therefore it’s crucial that local people and places benefit both socially and economically.
”We have a unique opportunity to shape a positive legacy from these major developments and by working together, we can ensure that the people and communities of Aberdeenshire directly share in the benefits of Scotland’s energy transition.”
How much money do these developments bring?
On February 16, Holyrood issued new proposals for onshore renewable energy developments – updating their community benefit guidance for onshore energy developments. The Scottish Government now recommends that local groups should receive yearly payments of £6,000 per Megawatt (MW) of onshore wind capacity.
A cause championed by Jim Stephen of STP for its benefits is the Craigneil Wind Farm – it is a great example of one pot of benefit that can be expected locally. The Bellman understands ESB are shortly to submit a planning application to amend their already consented proposals. Instead of 11 turbines, the Irish developer hope to build seven taller turbines, with a maximum tip height of 180m, and a generating capacity of up to 42MW.
With the new guidelines, if this develpement goes ahead, the boost to local projects should be to the tune of £252,000 each year, for the lifetime of the project.
What about the vast offshore projects?
The Scottish Government, intends issuing updated guidelines later this year for offshore developments.
Meanwhile, their website states: ”We encourage developers to offer community benefits and shared ownership opportunities as standard on all renewable energy projects so that they deliver long-lasting, tangible outcomes for Scotland’s people and places.”
Offshore generation appears to produce less community cash per unit – but there are going to be many more of those MWs, so the numbers very quickly get very large.
Vattenfall’s Aberdeen Bay development at 93MW offers £150,000 per annum – this works out at £1613/MW
The proposed Bellrock Wind Farm will have a generating capacity of 1.8GW ie 1800MW. If Nadara match Vattenfall’s terms, then you are looking at an eye-watering £2,903,400 each year – index linked of course.
That’s just a start. Bowdun Offshore Wind Farm has a planned capacity of 1GW, Aspen (landfall north of Stonehaven then connecting to Fetteresso substation) another 1GW.
Perhaps it’s time to start planning
For sure there are going to be unwelcome impacts from all these developments and these have been the major focus in most discussions. But most people accept a certain inevitability in our power-shift progress.
The full potential of local benefits of renewables have not yet been debated or considered by Stonehaven and District Community Council – but one member thinks it’s time they were.
Brian Menzies said: ”The number of renewable energy projects being planned and implemented across the country and the northeast of Scotland is daunting for a lot of people. But the opportunities for our communities is enormous.
”In the 1970s, with the exception of Shetland, we failed to create wealth funds of the kind developed in Norway that have provide tremendous benefits and economic resilience. Like so many people I do not want to see us miss out again in what is going to be an inevitable development of renewable energy infrastructure across our part of the world.
”Rather than throw stones at every proposal I would prefer to engage with the developers, for our communities to be involved and shape what happens, being a partner and beneficiary in the process.”
And the dialogue can start next week
A consultation event hosted by Nadara Energy on Wednesday is an opportunity to meet the developers and start a dialogue about the scale and impact of Stonehaven’s share of any windfall.
Their spokesman told The Bellman: ”We are currently considering a number of options to support communities that are directly impacted by the development of this project, either via a community benefit scheme and/or a community ownership model we are exploring with Energy 4 All.
”In parallel, we are speaking to the both the UK and Scottish Governments, as they shape their policy position via their consultation process. I would encourage the community of Stonehaven to feed into both consultations when they become live.
”In the meantime, as the up-and-coming public consultation events will be our first interaction with the Stonehaven area, please do provide feedback on what you would like to see from any scheme we may introduce. You can do so either directly to the team at the events or via the following email address bellrockwind@nadara.com”
Aberdeenshire Council’s Charter gives us a starting point for discussions
By setting out their principles now, Aberdeenshire Council hopes to create a consistent, transparent process. The Charter can be found on the Council’s website Planning: Community Wealth Building Strategy and Energy Charter – Aberdeenshire Council
Cllr Alan Turner, chair of Aberdeenshire Council’s Infrastructure Services Committee, said: “Our charter ensures that we make the most of these large energy developments for Aberdeenshire, for Scotland and for future generations.
”We have an opportunity to work with developers operating in Aberdeenshire to ensure that this new infrastructure works for our people and local business. This is about our future success and we invite all of these companies to work together to help us continue to position Aberdeenshire as a great place to help the national reduction of carbon emissions, whilst contributing positively to our communities.”