Local benefits
Statkraft places a high importance on being a good neighbour. Our aim is to have the least impact and provide the most benefit to the communities in which we operate. There are many ways in which local communities can benefit from renewable energy projects, and we want to hear your views on how this project can benefit yours.
Community fund
Our renewable projects generate valuable funds for the communities where they're sited. At Soay Solar Farm and Thornton Greener Grid Park this equates to an available fund of approximately £20,000 each year for the life of the Greener Grid Park, with an additional one-off payment of £25,000 expected when the solar project reaches commercial operation. This will make the total fund available that year approximately £45,000.
- Improving local infrastructure such as community broadband, EV charging, or new walking and cycling routes
- Upgrading community buildings
- Supporting local sports groups
- Environmental enhancements
- Skills and education programmes
How it works
The fund is independently administered by GrantScape, a third-party organisation, on behalf of Statkraft. Applications are assessed by a panel of local community representatives, who decide which projects will receive funding.
Where it funds
When it starts
The fund opened for applications in April 2024, following the start of construction at the Thornton site, and will continue annually for the life of the Greener Grid Park. Details of current application rounds, eligibility criteria and closing dates are available through the GrantScape application portal.
Biodiversity
By providing an alternative to fossil fuels, renewable-energy projects help address climate change. But our projects are also designed to help tackle the biodiversity crisis, and ecology has been an important consideration throughout the design of Soay Solar Farm and Thornton Greener Grid Park.
Statkraft is working with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust. They’re are key pollinators of a huge variety of flowers and crops, playing a crucial role in pollination services that support food production and healthy ecosystems. In the last 100 years bumblebee populations have crashed. The Trust has provided specialist advice on habitat design, suitable plant species, ground preparation and long-term management practices.
It is often assumed that fields are wildlife havens, but this isn’t always the case. Large fields growing a single crop leave little room for diverse plants and animals. The ecological assessment submitted as part of the application concluded that the biodiversity measures planned would deliver a significant biodiversity net gain, of 114% on the Greener Grid plot and 134% on the solar plot, compared with the existing arable land use.
Local suppliers
Wider benefits
Energy stability
The proposed project will generate enough electricity to power thousands of homes and businesses, helping to end our reliance on fossil fuels, preventing the worsening effects of climate change whilst bring secure and predicable power to our homes and businesses, helping us to be energy independent, and keeping our bills more stable.
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Our vision, values and principles
While our business continuously evolves, our three values are constant. They define our culture and are at the heart of everything we do. They unite us across countries, business areas and tech...
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Statkraft Stories: Stories from our world
It’s our people and projects that renew the way the world is powered.
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Sustainability
Our ambition is to contribute to a more sustainable future by bringing renewable energy to industries, businesses, communities, and homes around the world. We will do this by investing only in re...
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