Community Benefits
Developers look to give back to the communities that play host to their new infrastructure, ensuring they can leave a legacy that stretches far beyond just the projects they build.
For example, Sizewell C signed a Memorandum of Understanding with politicians, business groups and education institutions in the East of England. Through this, it pledged substantial spending and promised to work with local higher and further education institutes – including East Coast College – to ensure world class talent developed in the region is encouraged to enter the nuclear and construction industry, where as much as 30,000 new employees could be needed over the next decade.
Education in East Anglia has also been an area of focus for ScottishPower Renewables, with it engaging more than 3,000 pupils across the education spectrum, including by sponsoring 10 engineering master’s at the University of East Anglia, and developing its first-ever apprenticeship programme – with these based at its operations and maintenance building in Lowestoft.
It is not just education in scope, though, developers go far further. Community benefit packages see payments made directly to, or in support of, projects that are being carried out in a local area. RWE is already pledging to bring forward a community benefit package with the Five Estuaries Offshore Wind Farm Project, following in the footsteps of the Galloper Offshore Wind Farm.
Galloper offers three fund packages. One provides £187,000 over 17 years, to contribute to the appearance, setting, conservation, amenity, accessibility and enjoyment of the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Galloper has also supported many community groups, charities and initiatives, such as the Harwich Festival of the Arts Trust, Harwich Amateur Boxing Club, and We Are Music and will continue to do so throughout the lifetime of the project.
Equinor has developed and delivered a community benefit with the local community around its Sheringham Shoal and Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farms in Norfolk that has seen more than £1mn go towards community groups, such as schools and charities, backing projects or initiatives focused on renewable energy, marine environment and safety, sustainability or education.
Sizewell C, meanwhile, has a Neighbourhood Fund – as does Sizewell B – which was established to strengthen links with local communities. The £10,000 fund is open all year round, available for projects that will deliver a direct benefit to people that live within 10 miles of the proposed development sites.
Sizewell C has a Community Fund too that will see up to £23mn directed into the East Suffolk Council area over the next decade, spanning Lowestoft, Leiston and Saxmundham, with £2mn made available each year and grants awarded to projects that will minimise the impact of Sizewell C construction work and improve environmental, social and economic wellbeing.
Elsewhere, Ørsted has Community Benefit Funds for its offshore wind projects, including Hornsea and Racebank, with £465,000 available each year and as many as 245 projects supported across the Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and North Norfolk coasts. This has seen the likes of Sea Cadets in Wells-next-to-the-Sea supported, as well as fruit trees being provided for schools located within the funding area in Lincolnshire, and mental health support for young people across the coastal area of West Norfolk.