New Scholarship Fund Opens for Applications

Stronelairg & Dunmaglass Wind Farms are pleased to announce the launch of a new Scholarship Fund to support young people studying a STEM course at university.

The scholarship fund has been created to support young people with their expenses by reducing their student loan, with the aims of creating a pool of well-trained and experienced professionals, transforming career prospects in the local area and positively impacting future generations. The Fund is now open and the deadline for applications is 13th September.

Two scholarships of £5,000 will be awarded every year for three years to support students who are studying one or a combination of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degrees in the coming academic year. The funds are paid towards the scholar’s student loan, reducing the amount needing to be repaid when graduating.

To be eligible applicants need to live in one of the surrounding community council areas:

• Stratherrick and Foyers
• Strathdearn
• Strathnairn
• Laggan
• Fort Augustus and Glenmoriston
• Spean Bridge, Roy Bridge and Achnacarry
• Glengarry

Applicants also need to be taking a STEM course at a UK college or university in the 2023/24 academic year and in receipt of a loan from the Student Loans Company in the same year.

In addition to the local scholarships, Stronelairg & Dunmaglass Wind Farms are also investing directly into education within renewables by supporting one scholarship of £10,000, along with providing operational industry expertise from the wind farm, which will be made every year for three years to post-graduates studying for an MSc in Wind Energy at the University of Strathclyde.

“We value community impact and are committed to developing the STEM workforce. We are delighted to be able to offer these scholarships to people in the local area as well as those entering the renewables profession. These scholarships support our values by contributing to the global challenge of achieving net zero and delivering a long-term commitment to communities living near our sites” said Stephen Lilley, Director of Stronelairg Wind Farm Ltd & Dunmaglass Wind Farm Ltd.

Stronelairg and Dunmaglass Wind Farms are two joint ventures between SSE Renewables and Greencoat UK Wind Plc. Stronelairg Wind Farm is located in the Monadhliath mountain range near to Loch Ness on the Garrogie Estate south east of Fort Augustus. Dunmaglass Wind Farm is 25km south of Inverness on the Dunmaglass Estate. Combined, they have 99 turbines with an installed capacity of 322MW.

The wind farms have contributed significantly to the social and economic benefit of the local area and the Highlands since construction, including job creation and skills training, community hubs and social housing. Community benefit is central to both Stronelairg & Dunmaglass Wind Farm’s plans, and they are expanding on the current £34m lifetime community fund value already committed by offering these local scholarships grants.

More details on criteria and the application process are available on the SSE Renewables website, www.sserenewables.com/communities/scholarship-funds.