THE BRIEF

Orbit Communications has supported Koehler Renewable Energy (KRE UK) on the Rowancraig Wind Farm since 2022, delivering a comprehensive programme of public affairs, PR, digital, design, and community engagement to secure planning consent for this strategically important renewable energy development in Dumfries and Galloway.

Rowancraig Wind Farm, unanimously approved by Dumfries and Galloway Council, represents a major milestone for KRE UK’s Scottish portfolio. The six‑turbine scheme will generate up to 36MW of clean electricity, powering more than 35,900 homes each year, and contributing meaningfully to Scotland’s net‑zero ambitions.

Orbit’s brief was to build political, community and stakeholder confidence in the project, articulate its economic and social value, and ensure that local voices shaped the final design.

Our Approach

Orbit delivered an integrated public affairs, PR, digital, and design campaign, ensuring early, transparent, and sustained engagement with residents, elected representatives, businesses, and community organisations.

Key elements included:

  • Strategic stakeholder and political engagement, ensuring elected representatives, officials and business leaders understood the project’s benefits and community‑centred approach
  • Navigating the project through a parliamentary election, maintaining momentum, and ensuring Rowancraig was not used as a lightning‑rod political issue
  • Positioning Rowancraig as a flagship policy example at ministerial level, demonstrating the cumulative benefit medium‑sized renewable developers bring to Scotland’s energy mix
  • One of the first meet‑the‑developer events in the region, increasing visibility for KRE UK and establishing a new standard for early‑stage engagement,
  • Advising KRE to work monthly from A’ the Airts in Sanquhar, ensuring a consistent, local presence and building trust through informal, accessible conversations
  • Targeted PR and media relations, securing coverage that highlighted the project’s economic, environmental and community benefits
  • Digital and design leadership, including branded consultation materials, exhibition boards, accessible information packs, and ongoing updates across owned channels
  • Concurrent community sponsorship and business‑community connections, strengthening KRE’s reputation as a long‑term, values‑driven partner
  • Establishing a partnership between KRE UK and the Social Enterprise Academy Scotland, supporting student‑led social enterprises, and complementing future discussions on community benefit
  • Proactive outreach to community councils, taking a collaborative approach that ensured representatives were informed, involved and confident in the project’s intentions

Orbit’s long‑term involvement ensured that feedback from local organisations directly shaped the final proposals, including refinement of the scheme from eight turbines to six, improving landscape fit and community acceptability.

Outputs & Outcomes

We positioned Rowancraig Wind Farm as a locally supported, economically valuable, and environmentally essential development.

Our work delivered:

  • Unanimous approval by Dumfries and Galloway Council,
  • Formal support from the Royal Burgh of Sanquhar and District Community Council, reflecting confidence in the project’s approach and benefits
  • Endorsement from the Dumfries & Galloway Chamber of Commerce, recognising supply‑chain and apprenticeship opportunities,
  • Strong backing from the Social Enterprise Academy, reflecting KRE’s values‑led approach to community investment
  • A clear narrative emphasising the project’s contribution to Scotland’s clean‑energy future
  • A robust programme of engagement that built confidence, reduced misinformation, and ensured transparency throughout
  • A strengthened reputation for KRE UK as a responsible, community‑focused developer
  • Political stability around the project during an election period, ensuring Rowancraig remained a constructive policy example rather than a contested issue

Rowancraig Wind Farm will deliver significant long‑term benefits for the region, including:

  • £6.6 million in local economic activity,
  • 48 jobs supported across Dumfries and Galloway and East Ayrshire,
  • £2.8 million in local value added (LVA),
  • A £180,000 annual Community Benefit Fund.

Over the past four years, Orbit has supported KRE UK by delivering statutory consultations, implementing a full programme of stakeholder engagement and public affairs activities, and providing strategic PR, digital, and design support that helped secure this landmark consent.

“Orbit has been an invaluable partner throughout the Rowancraig Wind Farm journey. Their strategic public affairs insight, community engagement expertise and exceptional PR support were central to securing unanimous consent. Orbit helped us build trust locally, communicate clearly, and demonstrate the project’s long-term value. Their professionalism, responsiveness and understanding of the Scottish political landscape made a decisive difference. We are extremely grateful for their support.”

Alan Mathewson, Managing Director, Koehler Renewable Energy UK