Funding and Community Benefit
How is the development phase of the project funded?
Initial development costs are supported by a mix of grants and strategic community funding, ensuring the project remains community-led from the outset.
Frequently Asked Questions
Understanding the Black Law Initiative
The Black Law Initiative is at an early stage. These answers explain the opportunity we are exploring, our ambitions and the questions that still need further work.
What is the Black Law Initiative?
The Black Law Initiative is a community-led partnership founded by Forth Development Trust and Soul of the Junction SCIO. We are exploring whether the repowering of part of Black Law Wind Farm could support community ownership or a partnership model that retains more of the value generated locally for the communities around it. Our immediate work focuses on building a wider coalition, progressing development funding and assessing the opportunity.
Which part of Black Law Wind Farm does the project concern?
The opportunity concerns the section on Forestry and Land Scotland’s Kingshill Plantation land. This comprises nine existing turbines with a combined generating capacity of 20.7 MW, within the wider Black Law Wind Farm. The Initiative is exploring this specific opportunity rather than seeking ownership of the whole wind farm.
What does ‘repowering’ mean?
Repowering means replacing existing wind turbines with newer technology. It can involve changes to turbine numbers, size and layout, alongside improvements to associated infrastructure. For Black Law, any proposed design would need detailed technical and environmental assessment. No final turbine number, size or layout has been agreed.
Why is there a community opportunity?
Black Law is included in Forestry and Land Scotland’s Community Access to Wind Repowering pilot. The pilot gives eligible communities a dedicated opportunity to develop a request to lease the repowering site before commercial tendering. The Initiative is investigating how that route could support a viable community-led project.
Would the community own the land or the turbines?
These are separate questions. The FLS repowering pilot offers a route to request a lease of the land. Requests to purchase the land would follow the standard Community Asset Transfer Scheme process. Ownership of any future turbines, and responsibility for developing and operating them, would depend on the project model and agreements. Those arrangements have not yet been decided.
Has community ownership already been secured?
No. The Initiative has established a founding partnership and is developing the work needed to pursue the opportunity. Land rights, the ownership model, permissions, grid arrangements and finance would all need to be secured before a project could proceed.
What happens in 2032?
2032 is the expiry year of the current lease on the relevant FLS land. It is an important milestone in the repowering opportunity, but it is not a confirmed construction or commissioning date. The timing of any future development would depend on feasibility, agreements, approvals and funding.
Working together
Who is leading the Initiative?
The founding organisations are Forth Development Trust and Soul of the Junction SCIO. SJ Cole, Chair of Forth Development Trust, serves as Interim Programme & Coalition Lead. Silviya Savova, Founder and Chair of Soul of the Junction SCIO, is a founding member and contributes commercial, community development and Community Asset Transfer experience. The founding team is coordinating the early work while the wider coalition takes shape.
Who can get involved?
We welcome enquiries from local charities and community organisations interested in helping assess the opportunity and represent their communities. Organisations can contribute local knowledge, nominate a representative and help shape the coalition’s priorities and governance. Formal participation arrangements and any applicant eligibility requirements will need to be established as the work develops.
Does joining involve a financial commitment?
Joining the early discussions means helping to investigate and shape the opportunity. It does not commit an organisation to financing or constructing a wind farm. Any future investment, contractual commitment or delivery responsibility would require a separate decision through the appropriate governance arrangements.
How will decisions be made?
During the founding stage, SJ Cole and Silviya Savova are making working project decisions jointly. The intention is to establish a monthly Steering Committee as the wider coalition forms. Membership, voting arrangements, responsibilities and delegated authority will need to be agreed. The final legal and governance structure will be developed with professional advice and coalition involvement.
How will local residents have a say?
Community consultation is an intended part of developing the project and its case for local benefit. Participating organisations will help bring local perspectives into the work. The format and timing of wider engagement still need to be developed, and opportunities to contribute will be shared as they are agreed.
Select this paragraph to add your own text. Just drag and drop or click here to add this paragraph to your site, then you can add your own content and make changes to the font.
Assessing the project
What needs to happen before construction?
A detailed planning and consenting phase is required. This involves technical feasibility studies, grid connection agreements, and securing necessary investment. Most importantly, the project must align with the local community's vision for the site.
How environmental impacts will be considered?
A comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) will be conducted. This covers ecology, peatland health, noise, and visual impact. Our goal is to ensure the repowering project enhances the local ecosystem rather than disrupts it.
The role of ScottishPower Renewables?
ScottishPower Renewables is the current wind farm operator. The Blacklaw Initiative seeks to engage with them in a collaborative partnership to explore how community ownership models can work alongside their industry expertise.
What happens if the project proves unviable?
If technical or social assessments show the project cannot go forward as planned, the Initiative will pivot to alternative community benefit plans. We will continue to advocate for local needs under any future decommission or site plan.
How to Follow Progress
How can I follow the progress of the Initiative or ask a question?
You can follow our progress through our regular community newsletters, attending local update meetings, or by visiting our website's dedicated news section. If you have any specific questions, please feel free to reach out via our contact form or by emailing us directly.
These answers reflect the position in September 2026 and will be updated as decisions are confirmed.