West Coast Energy Announce Major Partnership with Inverness College UHI and University of Highlands and Islands

A major partnership between West Coast Energy, Inverness College UHI and the University of Highlands and Islands (UHI) has been announced today. West Coast Energy has pledged to provide a strategic community benefit from their proposed wind farm near Daviot to the south of Inverness, of £4,000 per MW of installed capacity which amounts to funding of up to £130,000 per year. If planning permission is granted for Daviot Wind Farm, this will be the first project in the Highlands to directly invest in education and skills across the region.

The money would be used to work in partnership with Inverness College UHI and the University of Highlands and Islands to improve access to vocational education for students across the Highland region. This will help retain young people in the Highlands and assist them to achieve their educational goals without leaving the area. West Coast Energy, Inverness College UHI and University of Highlands and Islands look forward to engaging with relevant stakeholder and potential students in the coming months.

West Coast Energy’s wind farm project in Daviot will shortly be submitted to the Highland Council for determination. In addition to the proposed strategic educational initiative, West Coast Energy is committed to the principle that local communities should directly benefit financially from the generation of the local renewable energy. As such the company is offering the opportunity for the local community to participate in the wind farm project by including a community turbine in their proposals. This will allow Strathnairn and Strathdearn communities to become part owners of the wind farm and will provide the community with an asset which could be used to fund numerous local projects. Daviot Wind Farm consists of 13 x 2.5 megawatt turbines, with a total installed capacity of 32.5 megawatts.

Commenting on the partnership, Steve Salt, Planning and Development Director of West Coast Energy stated; “West Coast Energy is committed to the development of the renewables industry in the Highland Region and shares the aspiration of the Highland Council to make a major contribution to the development of renewable energy capacity in Scotland. Inverness College and the University of Highlands and Islands have a major part to play in the development of this new economic opportunity and we recognise the importance of ensuring there is funding available for the development of green energy skills.”

John Spencer, Principal of Inverness College, stated; “We are delighted to be entering into this exciting partnership with West Coast Energy. The Highlands are fast becoming one of the centres of renewable excellence in the UK, and it is important we have the skills and training on offer so people can benefit from the opportunities available in this expanding industry.

The funding will hopefully allow us to take the technology to the people of the Highlands and Islands in the form of a mobile unit, supporting their learning needs in their own areas.”

Fiona Larg, Secretary of the University of the Highlands and Islands, added; “This is a prime example of how industry and academia can work together. We believe this funding will address a need in the Highland area, and allow people to reskill or upskill and become part of this burgeoning industry.

The funding will provide an excellent opportunity to help students get on the first rung of a career in the Renewable Energy sector, and will benefit the region enormously by providing training and opportunities we might not otherwise have.”