Ardeer Wind Farm

The Farm Energy Company is a UK based renewables developer and operator founded in 2011 that specialises in large-scale private wire and off-site projects for significant energy users.

The company enables its clients to source renewable energy from a range of technologies (including wind, solar, biogas and battery power) combining both private wire and grid based solutions.

What sets us apart from a number of other renewable energy companies is that our primary aim is to work with existing businesses with large power requirements to provide direct power via either a wind or solar farm.

These businesses are often at the heart of communities with many employees coming from the local area. It is therefore important that we engage with local communities to hear their views on our projects and address any concerns they may have at an early stage.

In June 2021 the UK Government set in law the world's most ambitious climate change target of cutting emissions by 78% compared to 1990 levels. We are dedicated to supporting the transition to a more sustainable energy market. To help achieve this target and are working closely with a wide range of existing businesses to provide low cost, green, renewable
energy. By providing increased energy security our business partners can deliver increased job security. In achieving this, our goal is to ensure that the right technology is located in the right location and any opportunities to enhance the environment are maximised.

• Origins traced back to 1797 in Dundee
• Operated in Ardeer since 1984
• Supplying over 200 small to national businesses – Westland, Next, Knauf, NHS, Mars etc.
• Largest Industrial flexible packaging manufacturer in the UK
• UK leading supplier to over 85% of UK's farming and horticultural market
• Employ 220+ within the business in North Ayrshire
• Renewable energy fits with the Berry Global commitment to Sustainability
• Partnering with FEC since early 2019 to deliver 70% of our energy needs for the next 20 years.

• A planning application was submitted to North Ayrshire Council in September 2022 for a three turbine wind farm development which would deliver renewable energy directly to the Berry bpi Ardeer factory via a private wire connection.
• Following responses from consultees, the application was withdrawn in order to refine the project, address some of the comments received and reconsult with the local community. The purpose of this consultation event is to receive feedback from local residents ahead of the resubmission of the planning application in mid 2023.
• The site lies to the east of the Berry bpi Ardeer site, on land previously used for ICI's operations.
• The wind farm area comprises an extensively modified landscape, used for over a century for a variety of industrial purposes, and in particular the manufacture of explosives.
• Access to the wind farm is proposed via existing internal roads within the Industrial Estate.
• The proposed wind farm development comprises the following elements:
  • 3 Wind Turbines of up to 150m to their tip
  • Associated infrastructure such as access, foundations, crane pads and construction compounds
  • Cable to connect directly into the Berry bpi Ardeer factory.

• A Community Benefit Fund of £2,500 per MW installed.
• The proposed Community Benefit Fund is intended to be deployed in addition to the existing benefits provided to Berry Ardeer BPI.
• The aim of the fund is to benefit local projects and enable improvements to the local area.
  Examples could include improvements to local community facilities such as village buildings, parks and playgrounds, sports facilities, provision of a community bus service etc.

• This project offers a low cost, renewable energy solution which provides economic benefits to towns like Stevenston, such as:

• Investment in property via mortgage and rent
• Revenue collected through local authority systems such as Council Tax
• Shopping benefits with locally earned salaries being spent in local shops and services
• Reducing the need to travel with the sustainability benefits that will come from this.