Wind turbines

 Urgha

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 have been generating our own electricity from the turbine now sited at the rear of the adjacent coal yard. The Tarbert Grazings Committee allowed us to build on their common grazings.

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. Westwind have since gone bust, on two occasions, and along with a number of other community groups in the Western Isles, we have a turbine that we struggle to maintain.

 

 

 

Scaladale & West Tarbert

Following the 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 Britwind/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.

In November 2012 we installed machines in West Tarbert. Planning Permission was granted for three 5kW turbines on land behind the old primary school. We were working with the council to reduce fuel costs in the school and the Croileagan building. By the time all the permissions were in place, both these buildings were empty, so the turbines have been connected to three social housing units. The machines are owned by Community Energy Scotland Trading who have contracted with Hebridean Housing Partnership. Three local residents benefit from reduced heating bills, whilst the Trust gains a small rent for the siting of turbines on its land.

 

 

Huisinis

During November 2012 we installed two 5kW Britwind turbines at Huisinis. These feed electricity to the public toilets, and export excess to the grid. These generate an income for the Trust. With the commissioning of the turbines, there was lighting in the toilets for the first time. In 2017, the toilet block was demolished to make way for the Huisinis Gateway.

The new building, which incorporates toilets, showers and information panels now benefits from the electricity generated by the turbines.

 

 

Scalpay

With the Isle of Scalpay coming under the management of the North Harris Trust, we  started to explore the possibility of installing a wind turbine on the island.

As part of the Feasibility Study undertaken prior to the transfer to community ownership, two sites were identified. The Trust secured planning permission for a 50kW machine on the “Hyperfix” site on the common grazings past Outend. Despite the good wind resource, the high grid connection cost meant that the project would not be viable for the Trust.

A commercial developer however showed interest in the site. A 50kW Orenda Skye wind turbine was installed on the site in the summer of 2016. The Trust receives ground rent for the  site. The local grazings committee has benefited from road widening  and surface improvements.

 

 

 

Monan

The Trust had been working on a multi-turbine project at Monan since it was established. Planning permission was secured along with grid connection in 2009. We struggled to get a European turbine manufacturer interested in the site because of the high levels of turbulence. Despite the good open aspect to the south west, the hills surrounding the site interfere in certain directions, stiring up the wind.

In January 2014, the Monan Wind Company was established as a joint venture between the Trust and Windflow Technology Ltd to progress the development on the Monan hill near Ardhasaig. Windflow have a unique two-bladed design that can work in the high turbulence caused by North Harris’ big hills.

Work started on site in the summer of 2014. In spring 2015, the last of three machines was commissioned. Three Windflow 500kW  turbines operate on the site, which is now wholly-owned by Constantine Wind Energy. 

The Trust receives ground rent for the windfarm.