Last year was a record breaking year for the fund, which began in the 90s. 2016 is set to be another record year as the second largest offshore wind farm in the world, Gwynt y Môr, comes online with its £19 million community windfall. The Gwynt y Môr fund, is the largest fund from RWE’s renewables fleet operating anywhere in Europe.
RWE Innogy UK managing director, Paul Cowling, said: “We are really proud to be supporting communities neighbouring our projects and the funds provided are not insignificant either.
“Community and voluntary projects are finding it increasingly difficult to secure funding but community funds from renewable projects, like ours, are filling that gap as well as allowing innovative projects and events to go ahead, which otherwise wouldn’t be possible.
“Our payments are being used for essential services in some cases, such as funding vital equipment for the homeless, counselling services and community transport links.”