SSE-backed fund invests £9m in 200 community onshore wind turbines

An SSE-backed clean energy fund is to invest £9 million in Hamsin Wind to fund 200 community based single onshore wind turbines in Scotland.

The Scottish Equity Partners’ (SEP) £135 million Environmental Capital Fund, of which SSE is the largest investor, will invest in Hamsin Wind to fund the rollout of turbines in high wind speed locations in Highland and Island communities.

Farmers and landowners will have the opportunity to install the 20 metre high grid connected turbines on their properties and benefit discounted power charges for 20 years and beyond.

The first turbines will be operational in Orkney by the end of this month.

The project also has the potential to save over 5,000 tonnes per year of CO2 or over 100,000 tonnes over the life of the turbines.

SSE’s head of ventures and development Derrick Allan said: “It is encouraging that SSE’s investment in the Environmental Capital Fund is now helping communities across the North of Scotland realise their renewable ambitions.

“At SSE, we believe a healthy and growing community energy sector matters and I will be interested to see how this innovative project develops and look forward to seeing many more community-led projects benefitting from investment.”

SEP director Peter Bachmann said this is the first of several small-scale energy investment opportunities being progressed by the fund set up to support small-scale UK based clean energy infrastructure projects.

The scheme could be replicated across the country, both on residential and commercial sites, with further suitable locations are being sought by the fund.

SEP director Peter Bachmann said “Hamsin marks an exciting initial investment for SEP’s infrastructure fund and will help remote communities benefit from their local wind resource to generate green, low cost power. In some areas, it will play a key role in helping tackle fuel poverty.”