Western Isles community wind week

Western Isles community groups hope to raise public awareness about the progress of their community wind projects during Community Wind Week, being organised by the Highlands and Islands Community Energy Company and beginning on Monday 24 March. The communities of Tolsta, Galson, Point and Horshader will have completed their planning applications and details of these plans will be presented to their local communities, along with an update on progress on each and providing an opportunity for feedback from their local community. Tolsta Community Development are the first community group to present their project to the Tolsta community on Monday 24 March, opening up their project for local discussion; Galson Energy Ltd will present their plans to their local community on Tuesday 25 March; Point Power on Wednesday 26 March and Horshader Community Development Ltd on Thursday 27 March. Members of any of these communities who wish to attend and want more details should contact Kathleen MacLennan, HICEC’s local development officer based in Stornoway, on Tel. 01851 707344.

Community wind week will conclude with an Community Wind Open Day in Stornoway Town Hall on Friday 28 March from 12pm until 6pm. This will allow any member of the general public to drop in and see the various stages of each of the community wind projects, view the feasibility studies, see pictures of the proposed sites and speak to the representative of the communities who are taking these projects forward. Representatives of the Highlands and Islands Community Energy Company, who have provided support and funding to each of the community groups, will also be available at all the meetings throughout Community Wind Week and will be on hand at Stornoway Town Hall to answer any queries. Visitors will also be able to view details of the progress of other community wind projects in the Western Isles, such as North Harris Trust, who have already secured planning consent for their project, North Uist, South Uist and Barra. Atmos Consultants who are assisting the communities in drawing up their planning applications will also be in attendance to discuss the planning aspects of developing a community wind project.

Rona Womersley, HICEC development officer for the Western Isles commented “The community groups have put a huge amount of time and effort to get their projects ready to apply for planning permission. Community Wind Week will provide an opportunity for them to share their work with the wider community and to receive feedback on their ideas for development. These projects ultimately aim to sustain and enhance local communities in the Western Isles for many years to come.” The community presentations are open to all members of the communities concerned and members of the general public are encouraged to come along to the Open Day at Stornoway Town Hall to gain more information about these community wind projects.