The Neighbour Shared Benefit Scheme (SBS) is a program developed by RES to enable benefits from its renewable energy projects to be meaningfully shared with project neighbours. 

The SBS is open to project neighbours, prior to the commencement of construction, whose property qualifies for inclusion in the scheme based on a clear set of eligibility criteria. 

The eligibility of a property depends on a few factors. Firstly, the renewable energy technology (wind/solar), secondly, the presence of a dwelling on the property, and lastly the proximity of the property to the project. The extent to which a property is eligible determines the amount shared through the SBS. 

A house is determined to be a dwelling (in its legal definition) that exists, or is approved to exist, at the time a neighbour is asked to register to participate in the SBS. Note: this can be confirmed internally at the time the SBS goes live. A house does not need to be occupied to be considered in the scheme, however agricultural infrastructure (barns, sheds etc.) are not regarded as a house for the purposes of the SBS. Should development approval for a house be obtained between a neighbour registering for the SBS and construction of the renewable project, benefits will only commence under the SBS when the dwelling obtains a valid occupation certificate.

In the development phase of a project, spatial mapping tools measure how a neighbour's property is positioned against the preliminary layout design of the project. Prior to commencement of construction, the eligibility of properties is evaluated using the proposed final layout.

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The project team will contact owners of eligible properties (where contact details are publicly available) to introduce the scheme and provide advice on how to register to participate. If you believe your property is eligible, or you know of somebody who thinks they are eligible, neighbours are encouraged to reach out to us or register.

The SBS will start prior to construction of the Project and will be in effect for the operational life of the asset.

Payments will be made annually, from commencement of construction, unless otherwise agreed by the project team and the current owner of an eligible property.

Benefits will be indexed with CPI but will otherwise not change.

Where a participating neighbour owns multiple distinct, non-adjoining eligible properties, the neighbour will be eligible to receive separate benefits.

The presence of one dwelling on a property will increase the benefit amount under the SBS, however additional dwellings on the same property will not increase the benefit amount.

Where an eligible property is sold or transferred, the participating neighbour has an obligation to notify the project team. A new owner of an eligible property will be able to receive future benefits, however it is the responsibility of the new owner to ensure they are registered to receive benefits under the SBS.
 

Benefits under the SBS will not be shared retroactively where the new owner of an eligible property fails to contact the project team to register their information. Where benefits to a property owner are shared in advance and the property is sold to a new owner, the new property owner will not be eligible to receive benefits for the periods already shared.

As only one benefit can be shared per property, the Benefit shall be shared as directed by the first person who signs up to the Scheme that RES reasonably believes is the owner. If the Owner is a company, the Benefit shall be shared to the company. 

The project team is not responsible for the distribution of benefits amongst multiple owners of a property.

Registrations will close at the start date (commencement of construction) of the Project. Neighbours may register their property for participation in the SBS at any stage before this time.

After the commencement of construction, a property can be considered for inclusion in the SBS if the property is eligible and it is demonstrated that the property owner - current or former- had been invited by RES or the Project Owner to participate in the SBS prior to construction.

No. Participation in the SBS does not limit the ability of a neighbour to discuss, oppose or formally object to the project in any capacity, or at any time. Furthermore, it does not restrict the legal existing use of the land in any manner.