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Most wind farms has a community fund that makes grants in the local area. Your project has to be within a few miles of a wind farm but that means competition for funds is limited, plus the amounts can be substantial for a small charity. The the links below connect you to 100+ wind farm community funds, plus use the link to the map at the bottom for all 2000 UK wind farms. For access to our Funding Finder grants directory and Help Finder corporate funding directory, register now; everything is free.
There seems to be an inconsistent approach to offering local community grants. Some wind farms offer substantial sums, such as EDF, whose 30 wind farms have donated grants of £60 million. Other developers appear to offer either no community grants or only token benefits such as a one-off free solar PV installation on a local school or community hall.
There are also community grants for hydro and solar farms but these seem to me to be smaller. I think that may be because these may be smaller scale, but I don't know for sure.
| They have about 30 community funds. Mainly Scotland and Northern England, but also other English counties and a couple in Wales. | |
| A subsidiary of Scottish Power, head office in Glasgow, they have circa 30 UK community benefit funds, which have contributed over £60 million. Most are Scottish, but also Cornwall, Cambridgeshire and Northumberland, Powys and Co Antrim and Co Tyrone. Scottish, include Dumfries and Galloway, Ayrshire, Highland, the Borders, Argyll and Bute, Midlothian, Lothian, Perth & Kinross and Renfrewshire. Funds can be used to deliver a wide range of initiatives. they promote volunteering and also have Iberdrola International Volunteering Day and volunteering holidays, involving 100s of employees. They have match funding and payroll giving. | |
| Their Call for Projects 2024 “Impact, Care, Connection” is aimed at supporting sustainable projects in the communities around their UK wind farms that are aligned to their core values. You have to be located within the geographical area hosting one of their operational renewable energy plants (or a plant that is going to be operational soon). They have 30+ UK sites in England, Scotland and Wales, albeit none in SE England. Head office is in London. Use the interactive map. Up to £10,000. Deadline 1 Nov. | |
| The Swedish energy company operates UK 13 battery storage, and onshore and offshore wind projects. Ten are wind farms and they invest £3 m pa back into local communities. There are a number in Scotland including in Aberdeenshire, Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Oban and Skye and 2 in Wales. In England they have Swinford (Leicestershire), Northumberland and off the coast of Thanet (Kent) and Barrow-in-Furness (Cumbria). Head office is in Penzance. Their map of locations has 16. Support includes for skills and young people and also women entrepreneurs. |
| EnergieKontor UK Ltd. Local community organisations for charitable, educational, community, environmental and energy efficiency initiatives taking place in the East Riding of Yorkshire wards of Mid Holderness, North Holderness, South East Holderness and South West Holderness, with a preference for initiatives within the proximity of the development. Up to £10k. The main fund opened in 22024 from 1 Apr to 31 Jul. Apply for small grants (up to £1000) at any time. Open to most types of non profit. |
| Schroders Greencoat.Community projects benefiting those living in the Scottish Borders in Reston & Auchencrow, Grantshouse, Coldingham, and Cockburnspath & Cove Community Councils (East Berwickshire). An annual amount of £40,000, inflation-adjusted, will be paid into the fund each year. Grant size: £250 - £10,000Grants between £500 and £10,000. Will fund equipment and core costs. Deadlines 3 Mar and 8 Sep 24. |
| Small local charities and voluntary and community groups in Blacktoft, Eastrington, Gilberdyke, Hook, Kilpin and Laxton, in East Yorkshire to enhance the quality of life, contribute to vibrant, healthy, successful and sustainable communities, and promote community spirit and encourage community activity. Apply anytime for micro grants up to £500 at any time. Grants up to £3,000 have an annual funding round. |
Ørsted Community Fund Grants. Ørsted operates several offshore wind farms and has established 5 Community Benefit Funds. There are 2 grant rounds annually but you can apply at any time. You can find more details on each and to apply via the Grant Scape link in the FAQs.
Equinor Offshore Wind Farm Grants
Equinor is a Norwegian energy company that focuses on oil, gas, and renewable energy production, including offshore wind farms. I've found 2 UK offshore winds farms.
UK wind farms are often required to contribute to community benefit funds, which are designed to support local communities affected by their presence. There are now about 2000 wind farms across the whole of the UK, so the ones I've listed above are only about 5% of the total.
The Department for BE & IS releases a quarterly update of the UK’s latest renewable energy projects, including solar farms, wind farms and biomass plants. These are also available as an interactive map. You can select to show only wind farms. Find one near you and get in contact with them.
There are also community funds for solar but there do not appear to be as many and the grants seem to be smaller. Here are some examples, including one for the village of Aston Clinton where I live.
| Haymaker Energy has 12 solar farms in the UK. They committed £10,000 annually for a 25 year period into a Community Fund. The first donation was made in 2015, and as the Fund is linked to inflation, it is expected to grow throughout its life. In 2024 the Fund value increased to £14,896. It is for the benefit of four Parishes, Bierton, Hulcott, Aston Clinton and Buckland in Buckinghamshire. |
| Run by Bluestone Energy. Staveley Solar Farm is in Rutland, in the East Midlands. The value of the fund will be based on £1,000 per MW per year output of the solar farm. Staveley has a power output of 40MW resulting in an annual fund of £40,000 for the operational lifetime of the farm; 30 years. It's open for proposals from the community to promote social and environmental prosperity and will prioritise the following areas: Climate and Environmental improvements, Youth Inclusion and Education, Road Safety and Cultural Dialogue and Heritage. |
| Situated off Blackwater Grove in Alderholt, Fordingbridge, Hampshire The solar farm fund is £7000 pa for 30 years. It makes grants for projects in the parish of Alderholt to improve facilities for education, mental and physical wellbeing, sport, recreation or other leisure activities for the inhabitants of Alderholt and the surrounding area. It is administered by the Alderholt Community Charitable Trust, a registered charity (Charity Number 1167313). |
| Community projects in the areas of Stratton, Kilkhampton, Launcells and Morwenstow, in Cornwall. Projects with an educational element or awareness of reducing their carbon footprint may be given priority. Awards range from £250 to £5,000. |
A registered charity ourselves, the CEF works for any non profit, not just charities.
Plus, 100+downloadable funder lists, 40+ policies, 8 online health checks and the huge resource base.
Quick, simple and very effective.
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