Local benefits
Some of the most direct and meaningful benefits that can be delivered from a wind farm proposal like Cairnmore Hill are jobs and employment for local businesses and contractors, in addition to the use of local services and amenities, all of which can generate a significant amount of inward investment within the area.
We also believe that onshore wind should provide direct, lasting benefits to local communities. RES takes a tailored approach and works directly with the community to understand how the wind farm could support the local area and help to secure long-term economic, social and environmental benefits. This approach will help to deliver a tailored community benefits package, should the project receive consent, that is aligned with the local communities’ priorities.
The below highlights some of the key benefits that Cairnmore Hill Wind Farm could bring to the local community.
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Generating enough clean, green electricity to power the equivalent of approximately 28,000 homes annually. |
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Predicted to deliver around £2.1 million inward investment in the Highlands during construction |
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Up to £8.75m in businesses rates to The Highland Council supporting vital local services. |
Tailored community benefit package
RES also proposes to create additional benefit from the scheme through a community benefit package. RES will work with the local community to gain feedback on their priorities and deliver projects that will help to secure long-term economic, social and environmental benefits.
This approach will help to deliver a tailored package of benefits that are aligned with the local communities’ priorities.
Local Electricity Discount Scheme
Our unique Local Electricity Discount Scheme (LEDS) seeks to deliver direct and tangible benefits to people living and working closest to RES’ operational wind farms. Developed in response to research and feedback from local communities around RES' operational wind farms, LEDS offers an annual discount to the electricity bills of those properties closest to a participating wind farm.
If LEDS is something that you are interested in as a potential part of a tailored community benefits package at Cairnmore Hill Wind Farm, or if you would like more information, please let us know.
Partnership with the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)
Since February 2024, RES has been in partnership with the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) to support a minimum of 60 students through their Student Development Fund.
The UHI Student Development Fund was re-established after RES committed to donate a total of £60,000 over the course of three years to support students across the Highlands and Islands, Moray and Perthshire. These grants will help to further the education and personal development of the students through a range of initiatives and activities, including attending art and music workshops, presenting research at conferences, obtaining new qualifications and participating in sports competitions.
Find out more about the first three recipients who were awarded the grant in 2024 here and further insights from recipients in the 2025 funding round here.
RES is committed to creating power for good in communities where we operate and UHI serves an area and population at the very heart of the ever-growing renewable energy industry. To find out more about the fund, please click here.
