Renewable energy fund to deliver £630k in benefits over seven years

Since Kype Muir began generating power in 2019, OnPath Energy has delivered over £630,000 in funding to communities through its Kype Muir Community Partnership (KMCP).

The renewable energy company said it has earmarked around £170,000 for the project in 2024 alone, and it shows no signs of slowing down and is encouraging local communities to apply for funding.

In fact, with the launch of the Kype Muir Extension to provide additional funding, and a proportion of the overall funding earmarked for larger projects of regional significance, there are increasing opportunities to deliver transformational projects in the local area.

Robin Winstanley, director of sustainability and communities at Hamilton-based OnPath Energy, said: “We have supported over 90 projects to date, with the KMCP Fund supporting 18 of them in 2024 alone, which is fantastic.

“We have seen some great projects come to life and it is a real testament to what can be achieved when local communities become the centre of renewable energy development.

“We set up KMCP to give local communities a say in how they can benefit from Kype Muir Wind Farm and now Kype Muir Extension. It has been an incredibly rewarding project to be a part of and we will continue to provide support where it is needed most.”

KMCP has helped fund several important community projects including donating £19,500 to Climate Action Strathaven, which created a major bus route from Strathaven to Glasgow.

The new route makes a significant contribution to community development, dramatically improving access to jobs and lifelong learning opportunities.

Residents can now consider working outside of Strathaven, and students can also commute to Glasgow and surrounding towns to study without having to worry about accommodation.

In addition, in 2023 Sandford Village Hall received a record amount of funding from KMCP of £45,000 to improve disabled access and address a range of accessibility issues.

George Smith, Chair of KCMP said: “KCMP Fund support has proven to be crucial in enabling local communities to fulfil their potential by investing in important projects and infrastructure, led by local community action plans.

“The impact of this funding will be felt for generations and now that work on the Kype Muir Extension has been completed, this support will have an even greater impact in helping communities make their projects a reality.”

The KMCP Fund, managed by an independent panel, supports a variety of community needs. Priority is given to supporting projects in the Community Council areas of Lesmahagow, Sandford and Upper Avondale, Stonehouse, Strathaven & Glassford and Blackwood, Kirkmuirhill and Boghead.

The fund is part of OnPath’s commitment to local communities, which aims to maximise the economic, social and environmental benefits of all wind farms and ensure that local communities are at the forefront of decision-making when it comes to community benefits. These include community buildings, local art installations and grassroots projects that aim to deliver social, economic and environmental benefits to areas near the wind farm.

The main aim of the KMCP is to use the Community Benefit Funding to deliver Community Action Plans across the five local areas for Kype Muir Wind Farm. At the first KMCP meeting in March 2019, £25,300 was awarded to five projects. These included a £3,000 grant for defibrillators and a £7,500 grant for new training equipment for the rugby club.

Kype Muir Wind Farm, located approximately 5km south of Strathaven, is OnPath Energy’s flagship project. The 26-turbine farm has been fully operational since 2019. OnPath Energy recently announced the completion of the extension to Kype Muir, an adjacent 15-turbine farm that houses the tallest and most efficient onshore wind turbines in the UK.

Kype Muir and Kype Muir Extension are set to deliver community benefits, contributing over £770,000 per year to surrounding communities.