MEMBER NEWS: Statkraft commits to keeping Keith’s Christmas lights on

December 2, 2021
MEMBER NEWS: Statkraft commits to keeping Keith’s Christmas lights on

Europe’s largest renewable energy producer, and the company behind the Keith Greener Grid Park has helped spread Christmas cheer throughout the north-east town by joining other local businesses and sponsoring Keith’s festive decorations.

Following another year hit by the coronavirus pandemic, not forgetting Storm Arwen, the Keith Community Council has once again worked tirelessly to light up the Moray town as part of its Christmas celebrations.

Wishing to support this, Statkraft has contributed £800 to support the powering of the Christmas lights throughout the festive period.

Statkraft’s world-leading Greener Grid Park located near the transmission substation in Keith, is set to help prevent blackouts across the UK by mimicking the role played by a power station, but without the use of harmful fossil fuels.

Donal Murphy, Statkraft, said: “The entire Statkraft team believes that giving back to the local community is of the upmost importance, so we’re proud to be involved with an event that means so much to so many people.

“We’ve already brought significant investment into the town, but with our ambition as part of the Keith Greener Grid Park to ‘keep the lights on’ in homes across the UK, we felt the theme and timing was perfect to support the town’s Christmas celebrations.”

The community’s popular light switch-on took place on Saturday 27th November. The community decorations are supported by local businesses and team of local volunteers, who invest time and money into the on-going repair and maintenance of the lights.

Callum Stuart, Keith Community Council, said: “With all that is happening in the world, it is more important than ever that those who have suffered loneliness, isolation, or have had their mental health impacted due to the pandemic, have some festive cheer.

“The lights might seem such a small thing, but they are the beginning of a happy time of year full of joy, wonder and magic and we’re very grateful to the support from Statkraft in ensuring our Christmas was just as sparkly as ever!”

In addition to the powering of Keith’s Christmas lights, Statkraft is also sponsoring tree planting at Keith Country Showground. Acting as effective and natural carbon off-setters, 350 trees will be planted by the show committee. It is also hoped that the new woodland will attract and reintroduce various species of animals – as well as act as an effective wind barrier during the popular Keith Show.

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