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COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENTCOMMUNITY BENEFIT REPORT 2018

£1.633MIN COMMUNITY FUNDING

This money can make a big difference, empowering local people with the funds to conceive and complete their own local initiatives, designed by them to meet their specific and unique priorities.

Onshore wind energy has the power to help in decarbonising the UK economy in the fight against climate change and last year Ventient Energy sites generated enough clean electricity to supply a city the size of Edinburgh. It is

important though that the communities see direct value from the wind farm operations. Wind farms are a partnership and community funding is just one of the ways we look to strengthen the bonds between Ventient Energy and the communities around our sites.

We look forward to continuing to reach out in volunteering and educational work in addition to the provision of community benefit, sharing the power of onshore wind energy.

Scott Mackenzie Chief Executive Officer

IN THE YEAR TO 31 JULY 2018, VENTIENT ENERGY CONTRIBUTED OVER £1.6 MILLION TO A BROAD RANGE OF SOCIAL PROJECTS THROUGH THE MANY COMMUNITY FUNDS ATTACHED TO THE COMPANY’S WIND FARMS. IN TOTAL OUR PROJECTS HAVE ALREADY DELIVERED £12.3M DURING THEIR OPERATIONAL LIFE TO DATE.

REACHING OUT, GIVING BACK

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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IS A PRIORITY FOR VENTIENT ENERGY. MANY BENEFIT PAYMENTS ARE ENSHRINED IN THE CONTRACT TERMS FOR EACH OF THE WIND FARMS AND THEY’RE USUALLY LOCATED IN REMOTE RURAL AREAS WHERE PROJECT FUNDING CAN MAKE A MATERIAL DIFFERENCE TO THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. OUR FUNDS USE A RANGE OF GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS INCLUDING:

WHO BENEFITS?

Improving 1IMPROVING LIFE SKILLS, EDUCATION, EMPLOYABILITY AND ENTERPRISE

Connecting 5CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, ARTS, CULTURE AND HERITAGE

Transforming 6TRANSFORMING ACCESS TO, AND ENGAGEMENT WITH, THE ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC SPACE.

Advancing 4ADVANCING PEOPLE’S PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH, WELLBEING AND SAFETY

Strengthening 2STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY COHESION AND BUILDING SOCIAL CAPACITY

Reducing 3REDUCING ISOLATION AND DISADVANTAGE AND IMPROVING ACCESS TO LOCAL SERVICES

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Funding arrangements are usually agreed during the wind farm’s consent and construction phase and a contract put in place to cover the projected lifespan of the wind farm. Funds are usually paid annually, based on the size and productivity of the wind farm and are index linked. They can be used in the year of provision or accumulated over a period time to support larger projects.

Many communities appoint fund administrators such as Foundation Scotland, to administer their fund, providing a framework for dialogue, decision-making and governance. Each wind farm can have a number of communities within its Area of Benefit, creating a layer of administrative complexity. Administration bodies encourage good practice and share learning across communities and charge Ventient Energy a fee for their services.

Ventient Energy’s community benefit supports a very wide range of projects in terms of size and scale and can be distributed as one-off awards, multi-year awards, apprenticeships, grants, bursaries, commissions and capital projects.

IN THE YEAR TO 31 JULY 2018, VENTIENT ENERGY’S COMMUNITY FUNDS CONTRIBUTED OVER £1.6 MILLION TO SUPPORT A VERY BROAD RANGE OF PROJECTS IN THE COMMUNITIES THAT SURROUND OUR WIND FARMS. WHEREVER IT’S SPENT, THAT MONEY MAKES A DIFFERENCE, CREATING VALUABLE RESOURCES FOR SOME OF THE MOST REMOTE COMMUNITIES IN THE UK. THE FOLLOWING PAGES PROVIDE A FLAVOUR OF THE TYPES OF PROJECTS WE’VE BACKED THROUGHOUT GREAT BRITAIN.

BACKING COMMUNITIES FROM TIP TO TOE

33 COMMUNITY FUNDS

£1.633M COMMUNITY FUNDING

A’CHRUACHLOCHGAIR BRIDGE

WESTFIELDBENARTY HERITAGE

BEINN GHLASSHIELING PROJECT

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NORTH – PROJECT EXAMPLES

A’CHRUACH FUNDING

Year to 31st July 2018

Funding - £90,813

Expenditure - £88,238

Awaiting allocation - £2,575

A’CHRUACH WIND FARM IS LOCATED IN KILMICHAEL FOREST, AROUND 4KM WEST OF MINARD IN ARGYLL. THE SITE’S 21 TURBINES ARE SPECTACULARLY SET IN THE RUGGED HIGHLAND TERRAIN, TOWERING OVER THE MANAGED PINE FOREST AND LOOKING NORTH TOWARDS LOCH GLASHAN.

CASE STUDY – NORTH:

A’CHRUACH WIND FARM

The wind farm began full production in March 2016 and it has an installed capacity of 42.6MW which is enough to power 25,978 homes.*

Serving local communities

A’Chruach’s community benefit fund supports a wide range of projects in the communities of West Loch Fyne, Dunadd and Lochgilphead, aiming to create a legacy of lasting impact in areas like: advancing rural regeneration; enhancing local infrastructure; establishing new community services and; improving community and leisure facilities.

PROJECT EXAMPLESCONTRIBUTION TO DOCHAS FUND TO DEVELOP COUNSELLING SERVICES FOR FAMILIES LIVING WITH LONG-TERM ILLNESS OR BEREAVEMENT. £18,870

REPAIRS TO THE BARN AND COMPOST TOILET AT HEART OF ARGYLL WILDLIFE CENTRE. £5,000

SUPPORT FOR SALARIES, TRAINING AND ADMINISTRATION COSTS FOR EMPLOYING MODERN APPRENTICES AND PART-TIME LIFEGUARDS AT MID ARGYLL COMMUNITY ENTERPRISE. £24,602

DONATION TO UPGRADE AND DEVELOP MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS CENTRE’S HYPERBARIC CHAMBER AND EXTENDING THE CENTRE’S SERVICES. £20,000

“THIS FUNDING IS GOING TO MAKE A MASSIVE DIFFERENCE TO THE CENTRE AND THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE.”Claire Cameron, The Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Mid Argyll.

*Based on an average energy yield and assumed household usage of 4,115 kWh per year = 25,978 homes.

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GLENKERIESKIRLING COMMUNITY BEEHIVE

SEAMERHILTON PARISH SHELTER

LISSETT AIRFIELDAIRCREW MEMORIAL

EAST – PROJECT EXAMPLES

LISSETT IS A LONG-ESTABLISHED VILLAGE IN THE HOLDERNESS AREA OF YORKSHIRE’S EAST RIDING. THE WIND FARM SITE WAS HOME TO THE ROYAL AIR FORCE’S 158 SQUADRON DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR AND DURING A TWO-YEAR PERIOD TOWARDS THE END OF THE WAR THE SQUADRON’S HALIFAX BOMBERS COMPLETED 250 MISSIONS, SUFFERING THE LOSS OF 144 AIRCRAFT AND 851 AIRCREW. A MEMORIAL SCULPTURE WAS ERECTED ON THE SITE AND IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF THOSE LOST DURING THE WAR.

CASE STUDY – EAST:

LISSETT AIRFIELD WIND FARM

Today, the village has a population of around 240 and its tranquil former airfield is home to 12 turbines, each rated at 2.5MW, giving the site an installed capacity of 30MW which generates enough energy to power 18,396 homes.*

Serving local communities

Lissett Community Wind Farm Fund is managed by East Riding Council for the benefit of the community within the East Wolds and Coastal Ward in the East Riding of Yorkshire.

LISSETT AIRFIELD FUNDING:

Year to 31st July 2018

Funding - £80,291

Expenditure - £61,300

Awaiting allocation - £18,991

*Based on an average energy yield and assumed annual household usage of 4,115 kWh per year^ = 18,396 homes.

PROJECT EXAMPLESEAST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE COUNCIL, IMPROVED HOME SECURITY FOR VULNERABLE RESIDENTS £1,600

DRIFFIELD FARMWATCH, TO PURCHASE TWO NUMBER PLATE RECOGNITION CAMERAS THAT HAVE NOW BEEN INSTALLED AND ARE IN USE £13,200

KILHAM PLAYING FIELDS ASSOCIATION, PROVISION OF FENCING FOR THE ALL WEATHER COURT £8,748

RUDSTON PARISH COUNCIL, FUNDING OF A PUBLIC ACCESS DEFIBRILLATOR £835

BRYN TITLI HAS PROVEN TO BE IN AN EXCELLENT LOCATION FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATION AND CONTINUES TO OPERATE WELL. THE WIND FARM IS SITED ON A PLATEAU JUST TO THE NORTH OF A SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST BETWEEN RHAYADER AND LLANGURIG AND GREAT CARE WAS TAKEN IN PLANNING TO AVOID AREAS OF ECOLOGICAL INTEREST AND TO MINIMISE ITS EFFECT ON THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT.

CASE STUDY – WEST:

BRYN TITLI WIND FARM

The project was originally intended to run until 2019, but a new application has been submitted to allow the wind farm to run for many more years, potentially until 2027.

Serving local communities

The Bryn Titli Wind Farm Fund is managed by Rhayader Town Council and St. Harmon Community Council.

BRYN TITLI FUNDING:

Year to 31st July 2018

Funding - £8,350

Expenditure - £6,515

Awaiting allocation - £1,835 PROJECT EXAMPLESRHAYADER & DISTRICT COMMUNITY SUPPORT £500

RHAYADER TOWN FC £1,000

RHAYADER CHRUCH IN WALES PRIMARY SCHOOL £1,000

CWMDAUDDWR CHRISTMAS LIGHTS £500

AGE CYMRU POWYS £500

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THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, WE ENCOURAGE MEMBERS OF OUR TEAM TO GET INVOLVED IN OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES. IT’S JUST ANOTHER WAY FOR VENTIENT ENERGY TO MAKE A POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIETY.

TAKING THE THREE PEAKS CHALLENGE

On the 15th August 2018, three groups from our Asset Management Team took to the hills to complete our very own version of the Three Peaks Challenge. Our North Region squad tackled Ben Nevis in a round trip that took around six hours while our team from the East Region climbed Scafell Pike in just over four hours. Meanwhile in the West Region, the team was scaling Mount Snowdon in a journey that took 6.5 hours. All three teams were raising money for the Air Ambulance services in the local areas and accumulated over £3000 for their efforts!

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERING

Working with Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust a team of volunteers from Ventient Energy, helped to transform the green space at Seaview Children’s Unit which provides planned short breaks to children and young people from the ages of 5-17 who have learning and/or physical difficulties. After their successful gardening efforts in May, the team will return to the centre in September to help the organisation prepare for its annual Open Day.

WIND ENERGY EDUCATION

Across the year, Ventient Energy staff take part in a number of school and community visits to help build a better understanding of the work of wind farms and the environmental importance of renewable energy.

VENTIENT VOLUNTEERING

LEADING THE WAY

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Each community has its own engagement

plan to develop and maintain strong and

positive long-term relationships. From

encouraging our employees to volunteer in

local projects to providing the funds that

drive innovation in those communities,

we’re active and involved.

We also promote strong alliances with

the landowners who host our wind farms,

ensuring each wind farm is built on a

strong, mutually beneficial relationship.

Most important of all, we listen. We take

local community concerns very seriously

and we’re committed to a process of

continuous engagement with all parties

that have an interest in our activities.

We’re leading the way because it’s the

right way to deliver a strong and successful

business that’s a part of its community,

making a positive contribution to society.

ACTING IN A RESPONSIBLE WAY TOWARDS ALL STAKEHOLDERS IS AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT OF OPERATING A PRODUCTIVE AND PROFITABLE BUSINESS. THAT VERY MUCH INCLUDES WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE COMMUNITIES THAT SURROUND OUR WIND FARMS AND SHARING THE BENEFITS OF OUR CLEAN ENERGY GENERATION WITH THEM THROUGH THE DISTRIBUTION OF OUR COMMUNITY FUNDS.

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