A £1.8 million project to install a community wind turbine in rural Wester
Ross is starting to pay off.
The turbine – procured by the Coigach Community Development Company – is
owned and managed by Coigach Community CiC and is believed to be the first
large community-owned turbine in the mainland Highlands.
The turbine is now producing power which is supplied to the National Grid
and is forecast to bring over £2 million of community benefit funds over
its 20 year life. The income will be used to improve local services and
infrastructure, help establish new businesses, provide bursaries and fund
training for all ages.
Often referred to by the name of its main village, Achiltibuie, the Coigach
Peninsula covers 15,500 hectares including around 20 small islands known as
the Summer Isles and is designated a National Scenic Area. The total
population is 271.
CCDC hired two part time local development officers to take forward a
range of projects with potential to generate income and improve
sustainability. These focus on renewables, provision of commercial
premises, housing, tourism (including piers and harbours), land and
environment.
Iain Muir, CCDC Chairman, said: “Like the road to Achiltibuie, the journey
has been long, narrow and winding, and not without its pot-holes,
precipitous roadside drops and things jumping out in front of us, but
finally we’ve reached our goal and it’s fantastic to see the blades turning.
“It’s taken so many years of dedicated voluntary effort by members of the
community as well as our staff. However, splendid though the turbine is,
it’s simply a means to an end – its job is to generate funds for us to
plough into our community to secure a bright future for present generations
and those yet to come.”
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