Isle of Gigha Community Wind Farm

Lead Partner: Highlands and Islands Community Enterprise Company (HICEC)

Description

Summary

Gigha Renewable Energy Limited, a trading subsidiary of the Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust, established the UK’s first grid-connected local community-owned wind farm in December 2004. This landmark project meets all of Gigha’s energy needs, exporting the surplus to the mainland, and will provide an annual net income to the community of around £80,000. Community members were consulted at each stage through a series of meetings held throughout the development of the project. The Gigha community has named the turbines ‘Creideas, Dòchas and Carthanna’, the Gaelic names for ‘Faith, Hope and

Charity’ and collectively call them ‘The Dancing Ladies’. The financial model for the project was based around a combination of grant funding, loan funding and equity, including an £80,000 shareholding through HIE.

Vital statistics

• 3 pre-commissioned Vestas V27 wind turbines

• 3 turbines of 225 kW giving a windfarm capacity of 675 kW

• 30 metre rolled steel tower set on steel reinforced foundations

• 3 glass fibre blades measuring 13m in length, giving swept area

diameter of 27m

• 2 generators giving speeds of 43 rpm and 32 rpm respectively

• Start-up wind speed of 3.5m/sec

• Cut-out wind speed of 25m/sec

• Estimated annual output of 2100MWh/per annum

Issues in managing the turbines

• Plan and cost out maintenance

schedule

• Check lightening protection

• Employ a turbine monitor to check and monitor operation

• Be realistic about maintenance costs

• Have a well planned and researched cashflow for first year of operation

Contact Details

Paul Phare,

HICEC Development Officer (Argyll & The Islands)

Kilbowie House,

Gallnach Road,

Oban, Argyll PA34 4PF

Tel: 01631 562125

Email: paul@alienergy.org.uk