KENNEDY Renewables, who own and operate Little Raith Wind Farm, have been praised by Cowdenbeath FC and Fife College.

Kennedy Renewables have lodged with Fife Council a planned extension at Little Raith for six turbines, 126.5m to tip height, comparable in scale to the current operational turbines, to provide one uniform wind farm site.

The planning application includes proposals to build an Education and Visitor Centre at Little Raith Wind Farm, which will allow local schools, colleges, universities and community groups to visit and learn more about Fife’s first commercial wind farm and how a wind farm operates.

This facility will be funded entirely by Kennedy Renewables who will employ a Community Engagement Manager to manage the facility and ensure that all who wish to visit the site can do so free of charge.

The existing wind farm currently pays £49,500 per annum to the Four Winds Development Trust (FWDT) who manage the funds on behalf of the community councils in Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly, Lumphinnans and Auchtertool.

Since the wind farm has been in operation, the FWDT have awarded over £26,000 of grants to local community groups in each of the four communities with beneficiaries including Lochgelly Women’s Social Group, Cowdenbeath Community Theatre, Auchtertool Youth Club and Lumphinnans United Football Club. If consented the community benefit fund would be increased by up to a further £96,000 per annum, bringing the project into line with the Scottish Government’s aspiration for all renewables projects to pay communities at least £5k per megawatt.

Separate to the community benefit fund, Kennedy Renewables is working closely with Fife College to ensure that the wind farm assists the Fife economy. Kennedy Renewables has provided funds to the college to set up The Kennedy Renewables Educational Fund.

As part of the partnership with the College, 13 students on the Wind Turbine Technician Training Course have been provided with a laptop and industry leading software as well as protective clothing and safety equipment. The students will also benefit from two wind farm site visits, talks from wind farm staff and work placements at the site. With the delivery of a new Education and Visitor Centre on site, Kennedy Renewables wish to expand this partnership with the college it is rolled it out to local schools and universities in Fife.

Kennedy Renewables also sponsors the Cowdenbeath F.C. Youth Academy and has provided a complete new set of football strips for four of the Cowdenbeath Academy Teams at under 14, under 15, under 17 and under 19 level, as well as new jackets to the coaching staff. This deal will also be extended to the under 13 team from next season. The deal means that the youth players represent their club with the same kit worn by the first team.

Tom Ewing, the Club Director at Cowdenbeath Football Club, with responsibility for the Youth system, said, “We, as a Community Club, believe in investing in young people in the local area and our partnership with Kennedy Renewables has allowed the Club to continue its success in identifying and producing young professional football players.

“Last season, our Academy Graduates played more than 100 first team games in the second tier of Scottish Football, the Scottish Championship. In addition, we have been able to employ six young footballers as Modern Apprentices.

“Cowdenbeath FC is grateful to Kennedy Renewables for their ongoing support of the Cowdenbeath FC youth system which enables the Club to give opportunities to young players from the area to become professional football players.” Deborah Miller, Vice-Principal of Commercial Development at Fife College, commented, “The partnership with Kennedy Renewables adds real value to Fife College students, supporting them to achieve success on the challenging but rewarding Wind Turbine Technician Training Course.

“In addition to the equipment and other resources funded by Kennedy Renewables, they also provide industry placements for all students on the course to help them to prepare for working in the renewables sector once they are qualified.”