At BayWa r.e. UK, we are committed to supporting events that are important to the communities near our renewable energy projects. This year, we were pleased to sponsor and take part in several community events across Scotland. It has been a great experience for the team in Glasgow and Edinburgh, allowing us to support local causes, engage with residents, and raise awareness about the importance of renewable energy.
Here is a look back on the events this year!
Kirkconnel and Kelloholm Children’s Gala
Partnering with Rowanbanks Environmental Arts and Education, our stand buzzed with activity, attracting both children and adults eager to learn and engage in renewable energy themed activities in addition to learning about our upcoming Cloud Hill Wind Farm. We also teamed up with a local artist to create a renewable energy-themed mural, with lots of help from local residents. This beautiful piece of collaborative art was given to the Miners Memorial Centre, serving as a lasting reminder of the day’s festivities and the importance of renewable energy.
The Highland Gathering at Corriegarth Estate
Our team attended the Highland Gathering at Corriegarth Estate, where they provided updates on the Corriegarth 2 Wind Farm, which has planning approval for 14 turbines and is set to begin construction in 2025. The event, hosted by Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust, attracted over 700 attendees and featured various activities and competitions. We also handed out badges, booklets, and our ever-popular windmill pencils, which were a hit with the kids! We were delighted to be part of such a lively community gathering.
The Galloway Country Fair
In August, we sponsored the craft tent at the Galloway Country Fair, held at Drumlanrig Castle near our proposed Cloud Hill Wind Farm site. The event had something for everyone, with children enjoying craft activities and families taking in the wide range of entertainment. We were particularly pleased to see how visitors to our stand were both knowledgeable and interested in finding out more about renewable energy. It was a relaxed and enjoyable weekend, and we were grateful for the chance to connect with the community and share details about our Cloud Hill project in such a welcoming setting.
The Riding of the Marches 2024
At this historic event in Sanquhar, we gave visitors the chance to explore green energy up close with our interactive wind farm and solar installation models. These hands-on displays, along with the chance to meet our stilt walker Ms Gail Force were a big hit with both children and adults alike!
We also invited families to take part in creating a community mural focused on climate change, green energy, and sustainability. When finished, we gifted the mural to the community as a reminder of our shared commitment to sustainability. It will serve as a lasting memory of the day's festivities and the power of working together to tackle climate change.
International Sheep Dog Championships
Our final event of the year took us to South Lanarkshire for the prestigious International Sheep Dog Championships. We were proud to support this three-day event, which brought together competitors and communities from across the UK and Ireland to celebrate a great farming tradition in a region that is host to several of our renewable developments.
A highlight of the event was the honour of welcoming Her Royal Highness, Princess Anne, to our stand. She engaged with our team, learning about our renewable energy initiatives and our commitment to supporting local communities.
In partnership with the Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET), we supported over 100 children from local schools to attend the event and take part in farming and renewable energy workshops. We were delighted to host our local community partners as well, ensuring they could enjoy and share in the celebrations.
It was a memorable event, celebrating tradition, innovation, and community spirit - a wonderful way to round off the year!
These events have been a great opportunity for us to connect with local communities and have conversations about renewable energy and how it can make a difference and benefit their I area. The interest we’ve seen at every event has been amazing and it is clear people care about making a positive change. It has been such an enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
We look forward to continuing our support for local communities and building even greater engagement and understanding around our renewable energy projects next year.
