An Argyllshire housing co-operative is to build a new three-turbine wind-power station that will generate £15.6 million of community and charitable benefit over the next 20 years.
The 6.9 megawatt power plant will produce enough clean energy to power around 4000 households for Fyne Homes.
The community benefit funding will be distributed equally to three community initiatives:
- One third will support social housing charitable objectives led by Fyne Homes
- One third will support charitable employability and environmental priorities led by Fyne Futures, and
- One third will be invested in local priorities identified by the local community.
Glenbarr residents will also be encouraged to be involved in developing the local investment strategy.
The project has been assisted by the Scottish Government, as part of a pilot to develop renewable income for reinvestment in affordable housing and community priorities. Existing examples of community renewables, such as Islay Energy Trust and Tiree Community Development Trust, have demonstrated the value of wind energy generation for community benefit. This project offers the opportunity to deliver Community benefit on a greater scale than the financial model estimates.
Colin Renfrew, chief executive, Fyne Homes, said: “The long term income from this developoment will ensure that we can continue to reinvest in our charitable objectives for social housing, local employment and sustainability, as well as providing investment for local priorities.”
The £11.4 million development at Auchadaduie, Glenbarr in the Kintyre Peninsula was initially conceived 10 years ago by Alan Hobbit of the Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust.
25 Jan 2018
Pixie Energy is an incubator and a facilitator of strategic research and project work, focusing on energy regulation, policy and markets at the local and national level. Find out more about Pixie Energy