Community
Kennedy Renewables has committed to a generous community benefit package, contributing a sum based on installed capacity to community fund. The company will give £49,500 to 4 winds development trust.
This package (which equates to up to £1.23 million over the lifetime of the wind farm), can be used as the community sees fit. Kennedy Renewables hope to engage with the representatives of the four Community Councils that will benefit from the wind farm, namely, Lochgelly, Cowdenbeath, Auchtertool and Lumphinnans, as well as members of the community themselves.
The 4 Winds Community Development Trust has been established with the assistance of Kennedy Renewables and is made up of representatives from the local area. Via its own website (www.4windstrust.com) applicants can complete a simple application form and all funding requests are considered on their individual merits.
Investing in Fife
During the construction phase of the planned extension Kennedy Renewables will, where possible be looking to utilise local companies, local people and local suppliers to carry out as much work on site as possible. A number of short term contracts and part time / permenant vacancies will be created and preference will be iven to local people. Vacancies will be posted on this web site.
Education
Fife College Long before Kennedy Renewables opened Fife’s first commercial wind farm, Fife College were recruiting and training young people to embark on a career as Wind Turbine Technicians. Fife College had recognised that, as the number of wind farms in Scotland grew, the need to employ technicians to keep the turbines working would increase exponentially as the turbines aged.
When Kennedy Renewables learned of Fife Colleges unique position it seemed inevitable that there was an opportunity to form a unique and strategic sponsorship to provide funding for young people and those seeking a career change.
Additionally to providing IT equipment for the students, Kennedy Renewables has facilitated site visits to Little Raith Wind Farm and allowed previously unavailable access in to its wind turbines for those students. As a result, students now have the opportunity to work for up to two weeks in an operational turbine alongside fully qualified and time served technicians.
The ultimate goal for every student is of course is to secure full time employment and Kennedy Renewables is now working closely with its strategic partners to provide as many employment opportunities as possible.
On-site Educational Facility/Visitor Centre
Kenney Renewables intend to build an educational/visitor centre on site following the construction of the extension project for 6 wind turbines. The educational centre will allow students from local primary and secondary schools to understand the need for renewable energy and carbon reduction in Scotland through a series of short talks and exciting demonstrations.
Many of the demonstration units will be made by the students at Fife College
The facility also allows Kennedy Renewables to engage with the community as it is proposed that on certain days, it will be open to the public who will be able to come in, look around and have a coffee and, even have a tour of the wind farm if they wish. The community will be able to look at the knowledge that we are passing on to the students and learn more for themselves about the need for renewable energy generation and carbon reduction.
Training
Jobs
Housing
