A ‘crowdfunded’ 9.2 MW wind farm in Scotland is about to set its turbines in motion and start generating electricity.

The £10.5 million Greenside Wind Energy project is a project backed by two farming families in the North East of Scotland who needed up front cash to secure bank financing.

Now 22 local investors between them own 30% of the project near Crimond in Aberdeenshire, which is being financed by the ‘ethical bank’ Triodos.

Electricity generated by the four 2.3 MW turbines will be bought by the independent buyer and supplier SmartestEnergy under a 15-year agreement.

Elaine Booth, who runs Ednie Farms alongside her husband Peter said: “We’re delighted so many local people are involved with this project and the experience many of them have been able to bring from their own businesses has proved very helpful in developing a scheme of this scale.”

The former Renewable and Bioenergy Specialist at the Scottish Agricultural College added: “The philosophy behind the project from the outset has been to try and ensure maximum benefits for the economy in the area and we believe local ownership is key to that.”