Wednesday, September 07, 2011
West Coast Energy and Carnegie College yesterday announced they
have formed a partnership and plan to create a scholarship
opportunity for students from the Kennoway, Kettle and Star
community council areas. The partnership was officially announced
on Tuesday at the Carnegie College's campus at Fife Energy Park,
Methil.
Up to six scholarships will be available to young people from
these local communities, and the scholarships will provide
financial support for students studying Engineering and Renewables
at the college, as well as providing mentoring aid supported by
West Coast Energy. This exciting partnership demonstrates that the
renewable industry is burgeoning in Fife.
The announcement builds on the previous good relationship West
Coast Energy and Carnegie College formed throughout the Little
Raith wind farm project. Little Raith is Fife's first commercial
wind farm to be given planning consent. It is currently being built
near Cowdenbeath. West Coast Energy have made a concerted effort to
bring benefit to local communities affected by wind farm
development, and are committed to providing a 'best in class'
community benefit fund.
West Coast Energy announced in June that they had revised the
community benefit package on offer from the Devon Wood wind farm on
the recommendation of the Devon Wood Wind Farm Liaison Forum. The
forum, chaired by local Minister Rev. Richard Baxter, negotiated an
increase up to £3,500 per megawatt of installed capacity. It is
believed to be one of the most competitive community benefit
package in Fife currently.
Steve Salt, West Coast Energy Planning and Development Director,
said, "West Coast Energy are serious about helping Fife become one
of the centres of Renewable excellence in the UK. We are delighted
to announce our partnership with Carnegie College, and pledge
£10,000 to fund up to six scholarships for young people.
"We believe this scholarship will address a need in the local
communities, and encourage local people to study for skills that
will be needed in the Renewable Energy industry in Scotland in the
coming years. The scholarship will provide an excellent opportunity
to get on the first rung of a career in engineering, and it will
provide the successful applicants with extensive experience within
the renewable energy industry- which is an area of key growth in
Scotland.
"This initiative builds on the existing community benefit
package we have carefully negotiated with the Devon Wood Community
Liaison Forum. We have submitted our planning application for Devon
Wood wind farm in Fife, and we want people in the surrounding areas
to benefit if it is given the go ahead. The wind farm, if
consented, will bring a major capital investment into Fife, along
with a number of jobs and opportunities."
Geoff Fenlon, Principal, Carnegie College said; "We are
delighted to be entering into this exciting partnership with West
Coast Energy. Carnegie College's development of leading edge
opportunities for Wind Turbine Technicians in Fife has attracted
many talented young school leavers into the energy industry and we
believe that this will be also be attractive to the young people in
the communities of Kingskettle, Kennoway and Star.
The initiative is supported by RenewableUK and by the Renewables
industry which gives us confidence that the successful scholarship
candidates can quickly be on route to a successful career."
Lindsay Roy, MP for Glenrothes and Central Fife stated; ''I
warmly welcome this announcement. As a former member of the Board
of Management of Lauder College (forerunner of Carnegie College), I
always keep a close eye on activities and I am very pleased to see
the investment in scholarships.
''There is little doubt this will bring a dividend to
individuals in our communities and West Coast Energy and Carnegie
College are to be congratulated for their initiative.''
Tricia Marwick, MSP for Mid-Fife and Glenrothes added; "I
welcome the scholarships on offer from Carnegie College and West
Coast Energy. It is important that our young people get the best
start in life and I applaud the efforts towards this."
Carnegie College and West Coast Energy are holding drop in sessions
for prospective students that would like more information on the
scholarship;
Tuesday 20th September, Kettle Village Hall, KingsKettle, KY15
7PY
6pm to 8.30pm
Wednesday 21st September, Kennoway Primary School, Langside
Crescent, Kennoway, KY8 5LW
6pm to 8.30pm
Find out more about West Coast Energy.
