Apprentice wind farm project gets green light

The scheme, a partnership between Carbon Free and Adam Smith College, has today (September 20) got the green light for an eight-turbine wind farm

Revenue from the Earlseat windfarm, in Fife, Scotland, will be used to pay for at least five new renewable energy apprenticeships each year.

The funding worth about £1.95m over 25 years should eventually provide 125 apprenticeship to the communities living near the wind farm.

According to the people behind it is the first time in the UK a scheme has been designed to directly benefit the community in this way.

Adam Smith College principal, Dr Craig Thomson, said: “The approval gives the green light to an apprenticeship scheme that will bring real benefit to Fife and will provide people with the technical skills that Scotland’s renewables industry will need to prosper.

“The scheme will also add further to Adam Smith College’s capacity to address engineering skills gaps and ensure that employers have the relevant and talented workforce they need.

“It really is a great example of the public and private sectors working together to help local people benefit from Scotland’s growing renewables industry.”

Carbon Free director, Dominic Farrugia, added: “The funds that will flow from this wind farm will help build a skilled workforce that, in turn, will attract other employers and investors to Fife building its reputation as a renewables hub.”

Luke Walsh