Salmond praises community register

Sep 14 2012

A new scheme to help communities across Scotland reap the benefits of green energy projects has been launched by the First Minister.

A special register has been set up revealing details of community benefits agreed with developers as part of renewable-energy projects.

Many large-scale developers now include some form of help for the local community as part of their projects.

The new Community Benefit Register will allow people in areas where new power projects are planned to see how other communities have gained from similar schemes.

This information should then help as they negotiate with renewable-energy developers.

The new register was launched by Alex Salmond as he officially opened the Clyde wind farm in Elvanfoot, South Lanarkshire.

He said: "Many communities are already reaping the benefits of green energy and the new register provides a level playing field to ensure more share in the advantages of Scotland's vast natural resources.

"The Community Benefit Register allows local communities to enter negotiations with developers - from those putting up single turbines on farms and estates to those building the largest schemes - on an even footing."

Mr Salmond hailed the Clyde wind farm as a "good example of how the renewables revolution is good news economically for business and communities".

The First Minister went on: "Almost £22 million will be ploughed into communities across South Lanarkshire, the Borders and Dumfries and Galloway over the next 25 years from the profits of their turbines. This register gives everyone in Scotland the information to be able to share in the opportunities new renewable energy development brings."