Wind is one of the natural assets that North Harris has in abundance. The challenge is harnessing it for the good of the community.
Wind generation
Monan
Wind is one of the natural assets that North Harris has in abundance. The challenge is harnessing it for the good of the community.
The Trust had been working on a major turbine project at Monan since it was established. Planning permission was secured along with grid connection in 2009. We struggled to get a European turbine manufacturer interested in the site because of the high levels of turbulence. Despite the good, open aspect to the south west, the hills surrounding the site interfere in certain directions, stiring up the wind.
In January 2014, the Monan Wind Company was established as a joint venture between NHTC and Windflow Technology Ltd to progress the development on the Monan hill near Ardhasaig. Windflow had a unique two-bladed design that worked in high turbulence areas in their native New Zealand.
Work started on site in the summer of 2014. In spring 2015, the last of three machines was commissioned. Three Windflow 500kW turbines operate on the site, which is now wholly-owned by Constantine Wind Energy, following the closure of Windflow UK.
The Trust receives ground rent for the windfarm. The crofters and stalkers now have easy access into what were inaccessible parts of the estate.
Scaladale and Tarbert
NHTC worked with the trading arm of Community Energy Scotland (CES-
T) to find good sites for small scale generation. In December 2011 we commissioned two Britwind/Evance 5kW turbines at Scaladale. These turbines feed electricity into the Lewis and Harris Youth Clubs Association building. This registered charity is now benefiting from reduced fuel costs and a much lower carbon footprint.You can just make out the two sticks in the picture behind the main building.
In November 2012, with CES-T, we installed machines in West Tarbert. Planning Permission was granted for three 5kW turbines on land behind the old primary school. We were working with the council to reduce fuel costs in the school and the Croileagan building. By the time all the permissions were in place, both these buildings were empty, so the turbines have been connected to three social housing units instead. The machines are owned by Community Energy Scotland Trading who have contracted with Hebridean Housing Partnership. Three local residents benefit from reduced heating bills, whilst the Trust gains a small rent for the siting of turbines on its land.
Urgha
Way back at the start of 2010, we applied for funding through Community Energy Scotland for a wind turbine. A number of months on, with planning permission and grid connection in place, we installed a wind-turbine, ready for winter.
We need heat for the staff and a fair bit of lighting in the depths of winter, at the Community Recycling Site. From November 2010, we have been generating our own electricity from the turbine now sited at the rear of the adjacent coal yard. The Tarbert Grazings Committee allowed us to build on their common grazings.
We selected a Westwind 10kw machine on a 12.5m tower for the site. This generates enough electricity to meet the needs of the site, and help with the long-term sustainability of the operation -through the export of surplus energy. Westwind have since gone bust, on two occasions, and along with a number of other community groups in the Western Isles, we have a turbine that we struggle to maintain.
Huisinis
During November 2012 we installed two 5kW Britwind turbines at Huisinis. These feed electricity to the public toilets, and export excess to the grid. With the commissioning of the turbines, there was lighting in the toilets for the first time. In 2017, the toilet block was demolished to make way for the Huisinis Gateway.
The new building, which incorporates toilets, showers and information panels now benefits from the electricity generated by the turbines.