ORE Valley Housing Association welcomed the Scottish Government’s Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy, Paul Wheelhouse, to formally open its recently completed wind turbine development built to the south of Cardenden.

The event on Wednesday saw Mr Wheelhouse congratulate Ore Valley on the project at a special reception held in Dundonald Institute.

Mr Wheelhouse said that renewables was an important strand in the future Scottish energy plan and Ore Valley’s foresight was to be commended. Ore Valley Chief Executive, Andrew Saunders explained that it was a project which had been ongoing for four years, but after reaching financial close in November last year, it had been full steam ahead, with the construction phase being completed over the Christmas period. The final step was connecting the turbine to the grid, enabling it to start producing energy.

The turbine will benefit the local community, not only by providing clean, green energy but also through funds raised through profits. Ore Valley intends to use at least 50% of the profits to provide support for the community through grants and investments for local projects and enterprises.

Andrew: “The commencement of electricity generation from our wind turbine was an exciting moment in what has been a long and eventful journey. We look forward to continuing to generate renewable energy and utilising the income generated, to enhance community initiatives and support the development of sustainable social enterprise in the area.”

The wind turbine, which is financed by Cardenden Heat and Power (CHAP), the European Energy Efficiency Fund (eeef) and the Renewable Energy Investment Fund (REIF) delivered by Scottish Investment Bank, will have guaranteed funding for 20 years by Ofgem, who will be providing a “Feed In Tariff” which is also known as “Clean Energy Cashback”. The event was a celebration of almost ten years of work by the Association. The Association’s aspiration is to see the local area benefit from a large-scale community renewable project with net profits used to support a community fund and the Association’s own endeavours in the area. The turbine will produce 1800MW of green electricity for export to the grid, the equivalent power for 360 Fife homes as well as save 313 tonnes of carbon emissions each year. The event saw the Association welcome a number of key project partners, funders and developers as well as community stakeholders from across the town who have helped with the establishment of the turbine.

Among them were Cardenden Community Council’s chair Davie Roy and secretary David Taylor who were impressed with the project and Fife Council co-leader David Ross.