£60m turbine boost for Isles

Published on Sunday 25 July 2010 18:33

Six community-owned energy companies based in a remote part of Scotland have been given permission to connect 11 wind turbines to the National Grid.

It is hoped the turbines will generate profits of 2.5 million a year for the economy in the Western Isles.

The turbines - to be sited in communities from Galson in the north of Lewis to Barra and Vatersay in the south of the island chain - will supply the energy needs of the equivalent of 15,000 households and reduce CO2 emissions from oil by more than 60,000 tonnes.

The developments are estimated to boost the economy of the islands by 60m over the 25-year life span of the turbines.

Profits will be spent on environmental, social and cultural schemes across the Western Isles that are expected to create 100 sustainable jobs. EcoHeb, the registered co-operative that represents all the islands' energy companies, has been told their campaign for an early connection to the National Grid has been successful and that Ofgem has approved the link.

Scottish and Southern Electricity (SSE) is expected to write to the successful companies within the next few weeks to give them their grid connection dates.