The Renewable Energy Fund (REF) is a fund set up and administered by the Council to distribute developer contributions from wind farm developments within East Ayrshire.
Wind farms
There are currently four operational wind farms making a contribution to the Renewable Energy Fund:
- Afton wind farm
- Galawhistle wind farm
- Hare Hill wind farm extensions
- Whitelee wind farm
- Sneddon's Law wind farm
Who can apply
Applications to the REF are welcomed from:
- constituted voluntary and community groups
- social economy or social enterprise projects, or
- local authority or other agencies (only where the project is community based, is new and does not represent a substitution of core business activities)
Projects must also fit the REF Criteria (PDF 209 KB).
Further information is shown in the REF Settlement Eligibility Summary (PDF 421 KB).
Due to limited remaining funds, we are only able to accept applications from groups from Cumnock, New Cumnock and Netherthird for the round closing on 31 May 2026.
Any applications from groups in other areas of East Ayrshire will be held for the Grants Committee meeting expected in May 2027.
How to apply
If you have a project in mind that you think meets the criteria, please contact Democratic Services.
View or download the REF: