Way back at the start of 2010, we applied for funding through Community Energy Scotland for a wind turbine. A number of months on, with planning permission and grid connection in place, we installed a wind-turbine, ready for winter.

We need heat for the staff and a fair bit of lighting in the depths of winter, at the Urgha Community Recycling Site. From November 2010, we are generating our own electricity from the turbine now sited at the rear of the adjacent coal yard. The Tarbert Grazings Committee have thankfully given us their approval.

With the help of Community Energy Scotland, we tendered a contract to supply and install the turbine. West Electrical Services from Keose, installed the machine.

We selected a Westwind 10kw machine on a 12.5m tower for the site. This  generates enough electricity to meet the needs of the site, and help with the long-term sustainability of the operation -through the export of surplus energy.

Funding from both CnES’ Community Renewables Support Fund and CES’ Community and Renewable Energy Scheme has made this project happen, and will help secure the Urgha operation.

Following the successful Urgha installation, we have worked with the Trading arm of Community Energy Scotland to find other good sites for small scale generation.

In December 2011 we commissioned two Evance 5kW turbines at Scaladale. These turbines feed electricity into the Lewis and Harris Youth Clubs Association building. This registered charity is now benefiting from reduced fuel costs and a much lower carbon footprint.

You can just make out the two sticks in the picture behind the main building.

We are now hoping to replicate this scheme in West Tarbert. Planning Permission was granted for three 5kW turbines on land behind the old primary school. We are working with the council to reduce fuel costs in the school, (which will later in the year be converted to offices) and the Croileagan building (which is used by a number of community organisations).