At Nadara, we don’t just work in communities—we work with them. For us, building renewable energy sites is about partnership, not presence. Before we even consider planning consent, we sit down with the people who live and work in the areas that will host our turbines, solar panels, and battery storage systems. We listen to their stories, their needs, and their priorities. Together, we craft a community value proposition that reflects what matters most to them.
Community engagement is more than just a step in the process—it’s the heart of who we are. Since we launched our first community benefit fund in 2005, we’ve supported countless local initiatives that connect people, strengthen relationships, and create lasting value.
Celebrating the community initiatives of 2024
This year, we’re proud to highlight some of the incredible initiatives made possible through our partnerships. From preserving cultural heritage to providing free swimming lessons and creating warm, welcoming spaces for all, the projects funded through our wind farms have had a profound impact.
A gathering of ideas: Together in Inverness
Since 2018, we’ve brought communities from around our UK wind farms together for the Sustainable Communities Forum. It’s a special day – a chance to share ideas, spark new conversations, and celebrate the connections we’ve built.
The 2024 Forum was our first as Nadara in the UK, marking a new chapter as we welcomed even more communities from our expanded portfolio. Held in Inverness, this year’s theme, “How businesses and communities can grow by adopting sustainable practices”, set the tone for an inspiring day.
We began with a visit to Uile-bheist, a pioneering low-carbon distillery and brewery, to learn how sustainability drives their operations. Next, we toured the Port of Cromarty Firth in Invergordon, a hub for Scotland’s next wave of offshore wind farms and a catalyst for creating more than 10,000 local jobs as a Green Freeport. The day ended at the Kingsmills Hotel, a Green Tourism award holder, with a dinner that celebrated community spirit and a screening of our annual video round-up.
Community voices
The video captured the essence of what these funds mean for our partners. Christine Bell of the Denny and Dunipace Heritage Society explained how support from the Earlsburn wind farm trust has allowed their projects to flourish: “The Earlsburn wind farm trust has been instrumental in the ability for community groups to thrive. The invaluable support of the funding we get enables us to move forward.”
For others, the impact is about bringing people together. Wendy Simmonds from Connecting Communities near Kilbraur wind farm shared how the funds help open up spaces where people of all abilities can connect and feel a sense of belonging. “People are coming out of the house – supported by their communities – and meeting new friends. We couldn’t do this without funding.”
A day to remember
Reflecting on the Forum, Erin Murchie, Nadara’s UK Community Relations Manager, said: “The Forum is a highlight of our year. It’s inspiring to see the hard work of the volunteers who drive these projects, to learn about the challenges they face, and to celebrate their successes. For us, it’s invaluable to hear directly from the communities that host our wind farms and to ensure our partnerships continue to grow stronger.”
Looking ahead
The feedback from this year’s Forum has been overwhelmingly positive, reaffirming its role as a cornerstone of our community engagement. For us, it’s a reminder of why we do what we do: to build not just renewable energy sites, but also enduring relationships that empower communities and enrich lives.
Here’s to continuing this journey, together.