Leading UK renewable energy developer, OnPath Energy (formerly Banks Renewables), is set to host an open day for community grant funding generated by a nearby wind farm.

The event is taking place in the Blackwood and Kirkmuirhill Hope Hub in South Lanarkshire which was able to provide major upgrades to its indoor and outdoor facilities thanks to a £7,894 grant from OnPath Energy earlier this year.

The KMCP spring open day, is taking place on the on the 23rd of March 2024. The event gives local clubs and groups the chance to get more information about the Kype Muir Wind Farm Community Fund.

Team members from both the KMCP and OnPath Energy will be on hand to provide support and guidance for projects in their early stages, while a number of standout community projects will be there to share their journey and experience with the fund.

The Kype Muir Community Partnership (KMCP), the community-run panel which leads the delivery of community benefit funds from OnPath’s Kype Muir Wind Farm, which became operational in 2019. Using their local knowledge, they have directed just over £500,000 to local groups and causes in the surrounding villages.

In 2023, OnPath pledged around £195,000 to the KMCP fund, which has already helped many community clubs and groups in the past year.

Including in 2023, a £45,000 KMCP grant helped Sandford Village Hall improve disability and access issues, and in 2024, a £8,390 to Avondale Curling Club to purchase much needed training equipment.

Robin Winstanley, sustainability & community director at OnPath Energy said: “It’s been great to see the fund support such a diverse range of community needs over the past few years and to be hosting an event for the community to find out more is so valuable.

From improving facilities and spaces to backing meaningful arts and environmental programmes, the funded projects are all hugely important parts of the South Lanarkshire community. The flexibility in the funding is what makes the fund so special.

The event is set to help many more in the local South Lanarkshire community benefit from the KMCP fund.”

The Kype Muir and Kype Muir Extension wind farm projects are part of OnPath Energy’s commitment to maximise the economic, social, and environmental benefits of its projects in South Lanarkshire.

Together, the 41 turbines across the two sites will have an installed capacity exceeding 150 megawatts, generating enough electricity annually for over 120,000 households or 200,000 people – more than the population of Aberdeen.

The wind farms will also deliver over £770,000 in community benefits each year to support initiatives in neighbouring areas.

Through its holistic approach to development, OnPath Energy has committed to bringing forwards projects that provide social, economic and environmental benefits for local communities, as well as renewable electricity.

OnPath Energy is the new name for Banks Renewables. OnPath Energy is currently building a new website as part of the re-brand process.