Empowering Eigg

On Friday 1st of February on an otherwise dull winters day, Eigg was finally illuminated. The light switches were clicked on and renewable energy powered through to light-up An Laimhrig, the tea room & shop on Eigg. The island children cheered and blew out the candles whilst the electric lights were being switched on to symbolically herald a new era of mains electricity for the whole Island.

This ceremony was the culmination of a major renewable energy project,  one of the first of its kind using a combination of three different renewable technologies, wind, hydro electric and solar energy. The Highlands and Islands Community Energy Company (HICEC)  was a major funder of the all-island electrification scheme through the Scottish Government's Scottish Community and Householder Renewable Initiative (SCHRI).  Eric Dodd and Rab Lees of HICEC were delighted to attend the Eigg electricity switch-on, as they have both been heavily involved in the project for a number of years.

Rab Lees said: “It was just fantastic! To be on Eigg on such a significant day for the Eigg Islanders. I think that this project demonstrates that resourcefulness, coupled with great ambition, can go a long way. It truly demonstrates that integrated renewables can play a big part in shaping the future of off-grid communities in remote areas.”

HICEC financial assistance was part of a funding package that included: The Scottish Government, ERDF, HIE Lochaber, Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust, Big Lottery fund, EST and The Highland Council.