Welsh communities benefited from £1.4million of funding last year from renewable energy projects operated by Innogy Renewables UK (Innogy).

In Wales, innogy is responsible for operating offshore wind farms including Gwynt y Môr, off the coast of North Wales. The company also operates Brechfa Forest West Wind Farm, and is constructing Mynydd y Gwair and Clocaenog Forest Onshore Wind Farms.

Innogy also has seven hydro power stations in Wales. In addition to these green credentials, this portfolio is providing long-term, flexible funding directly into many local communities, for up to 25 years.

Katy Woodington, senior community investment officer at innogy said:

“We are investing a significant amount of money into communities neighbouring our renewable energy projects. The community fund associated with Gwynt y Môr Offshore Wind Farm alone will deliver over £19 million over the project’s lifetime and our Brechfa Forest West Onshore Wind Farm Community Fund, which launched this year, will deliver over £11 million into the community. We are immensely proud that our community funds are helping countless local projects to provide crucial services and others to get off the ground.”

Community funding from innogy’s renewable energy portfolio has benefitted a plethora of initiatives including training local Prestatyn residents how to grow food; tourism events around Conwy; and lifesaving equipment for rural communities in Carmarthen.

Katy Woodington said:

“Our community funding comes from the private sector so in many instances can be, and is, match funded. It is heart-warming to see the difference these funds are making.”