RES seeks to be a power for good in the communities that neighbour its projects by working openly and constructively to ensure tangible 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.
Generating enough clean, green electricity to power the equivalent of approximately 28,000 homes annually.
Predicted to deliver around £1.4million inward investment in the Highlands during construction
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.
Local benefit case studies
Meikle Carewe Wind Farm, Aberdeenshire
RES' Meikle Carewe Wind Farm near Netherley in Aberdeenshire was commissioned in July 2013. Consisting of 12 turbines, the 10.2MW project injected £1.1 million into the Aberdeenshire economy during the construction phase. Contracts were set up with local hotels and cleaning companies and all of the stone and concrete used during the construction process was sourced from local suppliers, with local drivers utilised to deliver materials to the site. The balance of the workforce at Meikle Carewe lived locally during the working week, creating significant revenue for local accommodation providers. For the 25 year lifetime of the project RES anticipates to spend locally in the region of £6.7 million, of which £3.3 million will be paid to the local council in business rates.Freasdail Wind Farm, Argyll and Bute
RES' Freasdail Wind Farm on the Kintyre peninsular in Argyll and Bute was commissioned in March 2017. Consisting of 11 turbines, the 22.55MW project has injected £6.34 million into the Argyll and Bute economy through working closely with the local supply chain - with £4.21 million being spent with local contractors, £1.56 million on local materials, £0.36 million on local supplies and services and £0.21 million on local accommodation.
Glenchamber Wind Farm, Dumfries and Galloway
RES' Glenchamber Wind Farm near New Luce, Kirkcowan and Glenluce, was commissioned in October 2016. Consisting of 11 turbines, the 27.5MW project delivered a considerable £8 million of inward investment and employed 45 local people during construction leading to upskilling of the local workforce.