Community fund for local communities

Funds shall be used to contribute to vibrant local communities and to support the development of the area surrounding the wind farm. The community fund (bygdepeng) is a commitment that applies for the entire productive lifetime of the wind farm (typically approximately 35–40 years).

The funds shall promote the development of nature and culture, recreational activities, tourism, or infrastructure. The funds cannot be allocated to purposes that fall within the normal responsibilities of the municipality.

Associations, village groups, schools, and other locally rooted legal entities may apply for the community fund. Projects with the highest benefit for the local area will be prioritised. In the allocation of funds, distance to the wind farm will be taken into account. Villages/areas located near the wind farm will be given priority in the distribution of funds. Applications from neighbouring areas may also be considered, but higher requirements for public benefit will apply to such projects or investments.

The level and criteria for receiving community funding from SCA’s wind projects are the same regardless of how the fund is managed. The administration of the fund may be organised in several ways, with SCA primarily aiming to enter into an agreement with the relevant municipality for its management.

Example:
Based on a wind farm with 20 turbines of 6 MW, 3,500 full-load hours and an electricity price of 0.40 SEK/kWh, the community fund amounts to approximately SEK 600,000 per year, which can be used to promote the development of the surrounding area.

Based on a wind farm with 20 turbines of 8 MW, 3,500 full-load hours and an electricity price of 0.40 SEK/kWh, the community fund amounts to approximately SEK 840,000 per year, which can be used to promote the development of the surrounding area.