The United Kingdom’s first ever community-owned, and grid connected, wind farm has announced that it has made 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 three Vestas V27 wind turbines, each with an installed capacity of 225 kilowatts.

The turbines have been named Creideas, Dòchas, and Carthannas (Faith, Hope & Charity), by the islanders, and are more widely known as ‘The Dancing Ladies of Gigha’.

Andy Clements, Chairman of Gigha Renewable Energy Limited, 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.

We 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 Gigha Renewable Energy Limited, 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 throughout 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."  
  
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For further information on Gigha Renewable Energy Ltd, please contact David McDonald, Manager, Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust on tel. 01583 505395.

For further information on Highlands and Islands Community Energy Company, please contact Lorne MacLeod, Chairman, on tel. 01631 566976 or Nicholas Gubbins, Chief Executive on tel. 01463 244448.

Notes:

1 Each turbine stands on a three section, 30 metre, rolled steel tower.

2 Three glass fibre blades are fitted to each machine, measuring 13.5 metres in length, giving a swept area diameter of 27 metres (hence the V27 in the manufacturer’s name).

3 The windmills are medium sized by modern standards and whilst they are significant structures in their own right, they sit particularly well within the small island landscape.

4 All the electricity generated on the island is presently sold to a power utility company. In future years, the islanders may choose to become a supplier, and sell direct to customers.

5 The Isle of Gigha was bought by the community in March 2002 for £4.15M, following a successful fundraising exercise. www.gigha.org.uk

6 The population of Gigha has risen from 98 (March 2002) to 141 (current).

7 The Highlands and Islands Community Energy Company (HICEC) is a subsidiary of Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and was established in 2005 to support community groups in taking forward renewable energy projects. www.hie.co.uk/community-energy