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Local energy is the delivery of renewable energy projects involving a range of public, private and community organisations for the benefit of local consumers operating within a defined area.
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The Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) offers a range of financial support to local energy projects. We can also help you with ongoing support, mentoring, advice and more.
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Viking Wind Farm

Operation since	01/04/2024
Local Authority Area	Shetland Islands
Technology	Onshore Wind
Installed Capacity	443Mw

About the Community

Name of renewable energy project	Viking Wind Farm
Community benefit fund	Viking Wind Farm
What community or communities are within the area of benefit	Viking Wind Farm
Population of community/ communities	Approx 29,000
Name of community organisation responding	Shetland Community Benefit Fund Ltd
Name of governing body for the fund (If different)	Shetland Community Benefit Fund Ltd
Does the body that governs this fund also oversee community benefit income from other developments on behalf of the community or communities that make up the area of benefit? If yes, please state which	No
Name of Fund Administrator (If different)
Contact's Name	Chris Bunyan
Email	contact@scbf.org.uk

Value of the Fund

What is the value of the community benefit fund as an equivalent rate of payment per MW per year:	5000
Is the fund index linked?	Yes

About Fund Spend

Do you have a community action plan (or similar) in place:	Unknown
Please detail the year in which the Plan was produced and the timescale the plan covers:
If yes, has this plan informed the aims/priorities set for the Fund:	Unknown
Provide a link if it is published online:
Built capital: such as community buildings, housing, broadband, etc.	Never
Social capital: events, celebrations, social groups, etc.	Never
Human capital: skills, know-how and confidence	Never
Natural capital: the local environment such as parks and woodlands, and access to this	Never
Cultural capital: conserving and promoting local history and heritage, cultural events etc.	Never
Political capital: citizen participation, improved representation, etc.	Never
Financial capital: local exchange systems, start-up grants to social enterprises etc.	Never
If other, please specify:
Details of innovative or significant projects funded:
How is the fund publicised:
If other, please specify:

Further Information

Please link to any relevant online documentation on the Fund (e.g. Annual Report)	http://www.scbf.org.uk
Please provide a link to any relevant community website/ social media profile:	http://www.scbf.org.uk
Any other relevant information you wish to provide:	SCBF Ltd is an independent co-operative. All 18 community councils in Shetland can nominate a director for the management board. during 4 years of windfarm construction SCBF will receive £400,000 a year to grant aid projects supported by a community council, to support its own administration and develop a full Business Plan for when the core funding of approx £2.25m a year starts once the windfarm is operational.