Beatrice Offshore Wind Farm Ltd (BOWL) has completed the first round of awards to support transformational projects across the north of Scotland from the GBP 6 million Beatrice Community Fund.
The first round has seen an initial sum of GBP 378,000 donated to 14 different projects in Caithness, Sutherland and Moray. These include the Morayvia science and technology centre and the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Centre in Moray which received grants of GBP 50,000 and GBP 46,544 respectively.
Another beneficiary of the fund is the iconic Covesea Lighthouse in Moray (pictured) which has received GBP 40,000 to enable the community owned landmark to complete an Education and Heritage Centre. Built in 1846, the 36 metre high lighthouse guided ships away from danger during 166 years of service until 2012, when its light was finally extinguished.
The announcement of the first round of awards was made at the lighthouse on Thursday, 1 June.
Franziska Smith , Director of Covesea Lighthouse Community Company, said: “Without this grant from the Beatrice Partnership Fund, Covesea Lighthouse Community Company would have been unable to complete our new Education and Heritage Centre at this time. This funding will help us build the last brick in the wall of a £390,000 project which will enhance the experience of all the visitors to the Lighthouse.”
The GBP 6 million Beatrice Community Investment Fund, associated with the 588MW Beatrice offshore wind farm currently under construction in the Moray Firth, is being distributed over a five year period from 2017 in Moray and the Highlands.
The community investment fund is being provided by BOWL and is in addition to the GBP 28 million that BOWL is paying into the Crown Estate’s Coastal Community Fund as part of its seabed leasing agreement.
The 84-turbine Beatrice offshore wind farm is due to be operational by 2019.