Cabrach Trust Secures Community Benefits for Proposed Dorenell Wind Farm

CABRACH TRUST REACH AGREEMENT ON COMMUNITY BENEFITS PACKAGE FOR PROPOSED DORENELL WIND FARM NEAR DUFFTOWN

A major community group and a renewable energy supplier have reached agreement over a proposed wind farm development in Moray.

Gallileo Empower have submitted proposals for 477MW Dorenell wind farm extension project, along with a complementary battery storage facility, incorporating 67 turbines, each between 149.9m and 250m in height, on the Cabrach and Glenfiddich Estate 10km south of Dufftown.

The Cabrach Trust and Gallileo Empower have reached agreement over the proposed Dorenell wind farm extension.

The firm’s Edinburgh-based project team has undertaken two formal rounds of public consultation events, along with a number of door-knocking exercises and project mail drops over the course of 2024 and 2025.

According to Gallileo Empower, the proposed development, if approved, is expected to deliver significant social and commercial benefits to the local area, arising out of the construction and operation of the project which will further support the green energy transition.

Dialogue with local trusts and other bodies surrounding the project has continued, and a memorandum of understanding has been agreed with The Cabrach Trust to set a path towards joint working on the distribution of substantial community benefit funds that will be available if consented, and for the duration of its 40-year operating period.

The agreement is a central outcome arising out of Galileo’s commitment to work closely with the surrounding communities, on what will ultimately be the UK’s largest ever community benefit package

Galileo’s Senior Project Manager Jason Morin, said: “Furthering our understanding of the community has been a real priority in shaping the Dorenell Extension Wind Farm and Biodiversity Enhancement Plan.

(From left) Jonathan Christie, CEO of the Cabrach Trust, along with Diarmuid Twooney CEO and Colin Williams UK Development Director of Galileo Empower.

“Through doorstep conversations, village hall consultations and support of a number of local events, we’ve built relationships and deepened our respect for the region’s rich history, heritage, and culture.

“Fostering these connections through open dialogue promises mutual benefits for years to come as, if approved, this project will deliver transformative benefits, including direct energy cost support for local households, substantial community funds, guaranteed jobs and investment in biodiversity and regeneration.

“We’re proud to partner with The Cabrach Trust whose local expertise will help us create a lasting, best-in-class legacy of community wealth, underpinning our aim to be an exceptional neighbour across this unique region.”

Jonathan Christie, Chief Executive of The Cabrach Trust, commented: "In any scenario where this development secures planning consent, the trust resolved that meaningful, sustained discussion with Galileo was vitally important from the outset to ensure that any future community benefit associated with this development not only aligned with the strategy, aspirations and objectives of The Cabrach Trust, but also reflected the Scottish Government’s Good Practice Principles for Community Benefits from Onshore Wind Projects.

“Born of experience, both the trust and Galileo are aligned on how important it is that community benefit commitments made now withstand the test of time. This is an agreement that not only has good legal standing but commits the substantive balance of proposed community benefit to the Cabrach, including the creation of an innovative community-owned and led charter.

“The trust continues to strongly champion the need for great care and balance between community regeneration, nature recovery and green energy infrastructure initiatives within our fragile, rural context. The trust has found Galileo to be engaged and collaborative in pursuit of reaching this agreement."

Facilitated by Local Energy Scotland, Galileo remains committed to exploring potential options for community part ownership of the project.

The plans which have been submitted can be viewed at public libraries in Dufftown, Tomintoul and at the Acorn Centre in the Cabrach, and online at www.dorenellextension.co.uk

Consultation on the planning application is now closed.

More information on the proposals, and contact details for the project team can be accessed at www.dorenellextension.co.uk

Credit: Northern Scot - Cabrach Trust reach agreement on community benefits package for proposed Dorenell wind farm near Dufftown