On-site & Micro News

Friday 26 February 2010

Three 20kW wind turbines on the remote island of Foula should ensure a 24-hour electricity supply for the first time

Six Scottish renewables projects have been awarded a cumulative £2 million by the National Lottery good causes fund.

Four separate wind turbines to generate community profit in the Orkney Islands, a mainland wind turbine development in Aberdeenshire and an improved electricity supply for a remote community in the Shetland Islands are to share £2,230,513.

These projects will also generate income from the sale of Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) to energy suppliers.

Since the National Lottery began in 1994, 28p from every pound spent by the public has gone to good causes, around half of which is distributed by the Big Lottery Fund (BIG). Since May 2007, BIG claimed it had invested just under £7 million in 14 renewable energy projects.

Announcing the winners today, BIG chair Alison Magee said the money would help "some of the most remote communities in Scotland to become more sustainable in the long term."

"Each project has put the needs of local people first by giving them a say in how they want their energy produced and, equally important, how they would like to see the profits from the sale of that energy invested.

"We are glad to be able to offer them our fullest support and we are confident these projects will have a deep and lasting impact."

Projects

In the Orkney Islands, four projects are each set to receive roughly £435,000 to develop single wind turbines.

Development Trusts on Rousay, Hoy, Shapinsay and Stronsay are hoping to build up community trust funds of over £2 million each by selling electricity to the National Grid. Representatives of the Trusts said they hoped to fund projects that would make the islands more self-reliant, such as introducing public transport, developing businesses and increasing skills and training.

Tony Withers, community development officer with the Stronsay Development Trust, said: "Our small island community has been identified as fragile and this display of confidence in us will strengthen Stronsay in many ways.

"The long term legacy will result in the implementation of projects designed to improve our economic and social life. It will also show other investors that we are serious about securing our long term sustainability."

Foula

The remotest of the Shetland Islands, Foula, has a population of only 28 people and experiences some of the most extreme weather conditions in the British Isles.

BIG has awarded the Foula Electricity Trust (FET) £220,000 to part fund the construction of three 20kW wind turbines, along with battery storage and back-up generator following a £200,000 grant in 2004 that brought a 24-hour electrical supply to the island for the first time.

The last three homes on the island will now be connected to mains electricity while income generated from the sale of ROCs is also set to be put towards improving the education and training opportunities for the community.

Frank Robertson of FET said: "When this second phase is completed next year, the island will be fully self-sufficient in renewable energy generated by wind, water and photo-voltaic panels."

Aberdeenshire

The Udny Community Trust has been awarded £269,000 to build an 800kW wind turbine, which is set to be completed next year. The profits generated are set to fund community initiatives such as supporting school leavers and improving energy efficiency in homes in the Aberdeenshire village.

Garth Entwistle, chairman of the Trust said: "The money earned by this project will help us generate a sustainable income which will greatly enhance the Udny Community."