Proposed Benefits

 

There are several direct and indirect benefits for the local community:

 

Community Benefits

Kingspan Insulated Panels has always been an important part of the community in which they operate and take their responsibilities towards that community very seriously.  The company also considers itself an important part of the economic wellbeing of the area, both as a major employer, directly employing around 350 staff, and through local sourcing of goods and services such as haulage, catering and office supplies.  Kingspan are proud to be able to support local charities, community groups and educational projects.

 

• Supporting Charities - Kingspan have assisted North Clwyd Animal Rescue by providing free of charge all of the materials for a new roof benefitting the project and helping by providing shelter for the rescued animals.

• Supporting Education – Kingspan has helped out local schools including St Mary's School Flint, where employees helped transform the schoolyard into a forest school, creating an outdoor learning environment.  The installation of wind turbines can potentially lead to a wider awareness of renewable energy and increased interest in environmental stewardship among the local population. 

• Supporting Local Community Groups - There are numerous examples of Kingspan supporting local community groups such as providing lighting for the Greenfield community garden, a 10 years commitment and providing building materials for projects including the new roof at Middle Park Community Centre.

 

 

Economic Benefits

On average 95%[1] of the electricity from the wind turbines will be supplied to Kingspan's site.  Securing a supply of electricity at a predictable cost and protecting the site from volatility of future electricity pricing.

 

• The turbine would help to secure the long-term future of Kingspan, thereby maintaining the current direct and indirect employment levels, and providing on-going job opportunities.

• It is estimated that contracts worth up to £300,000 could be placed with local companies (induced economic multiplier effects, such as re-circulating income within the local area, also have the potential for increasing wealth in the local community).

• Kingspan have contributed to the local economy through projects such as Bagillt Foreshore.  This is a community inspired project to develop the area, bringing long-term wider benefits to the Flintshire economy. Kingspan has supplied the funding for a feasibility study on options to regenerate this area.

 

Environmental Benefits

This project has the potential to generate the equivalent electricity used by approximately 543[2] homes - the equivalent of meeting the need of 55%[3] of households in the Greenfield Settlement Boundary.

 

It has the potential to offset up to 1440[4] tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year and reduce reliance on electricity produced by imported fossil fuels.

 

Kingspan plays an important role in supporting the local environment having recognised their responsibilities in protecting it.

 

• Kingspan provided funding towards the regeneration of Greenfield Dock and is a sponsor for the 'Strandline Leaflet' - an awareness raising treasure trail along the Dee Estuary.

• The addition of wind turbines would provide indirect benefits through marketing of the local area as innovative, forward thinking and sustainable. The scheme would provide a symbol of the region’s commitment to sustainability.

 

 

[1] Dependant on the turbine model selected, wind resource and Kingspan's electricity demand.

[2] Based on DECC, Digest of United Kingdom Energy statistics (DUKES), 2011.

[3] According to OS address point data, total no. of households in Greenfield Settlement Boundary is 972.  Number of homes power figure is provided for comparison purposes only and is based on a capacity factor of 27.1% which is average output for UK onshore wind for the last five years according to DECC, Dukes DEC 2012.

[4] Based on data from DECC Fuel Mix Disclosure Table, 2012.