The Gigha community wind farm, the UK's first ever community owned and grid connected wind farm, has announced a £100,000 net profit in its first full year of operation. The small wind farm on the community-owned Island of Gigha in Argyll comprises 3 Vestas V27 wind turbines, each with an installed capacity of 225 kilowatts. The turbines have been named by the islands as Creideas, Dòchas and Carthannas (Faith, Hope and Charity) and are more widely known as "The Dancing Ladies of Gigha".
Andy Clements, chairman of Gigha Renewable Energy Ltd (GREL), said "I am delighted that the turbines have been so successful in their first year. When we took over the ownership of the island, the housing stock was in a poor state of disrepair. As a result, we have embarked on a massive £4 million housing refurbishment programme on the island, so this money and future years' profits, will help towards funding this programme".
The community are now looking to undertake some other renewable energy projects, such as establishing a wood fuel boiler to power the heating in the community-owned hotel and solar panels have been fitted on some of the houses to ensure a constant supply of hot water for tenants.
Lorne MacLeod, chairman of Highlands and Islands Community Energy Company (HICEC), and also a director of GREL, said "The Gigha wind turbines have proved that communities can generate substantial income from renewable energy. The Gigha project model will soon be replicated by other communities thorughout the Highlands and Islands, providing a valuable income source to be re-invested in other locally based community projects. HICEC is already working with a significant number of community groups who are at various stages in their project development. Many are based in the most fragile and remote communities in the Highlands and Islands and we look forward to these projects coming on stream in the next few years."
