COMMUNITY BENEFITS

Loch Carnan community owned wind farm

In Scotland, in the last year, independent renewable energy schemes have generated around £234 million pounds worth of power, according to SmartestEnergy’s Energy Entrepreneurs 2014 report. This  was up from £191 million in 2012, The report states that the growth in energy project numbers in Scotland "significantly outstripped" growth in England and Wales. Amongst the energy schemes that came on stream last year was the Western Isles' three-turbine Loch Carnan Wind Farm (which went live in 2013). This is Scotland's biggest community-owned wind farm and the project is expected to generate £2 million pounds worth of revenue this year. The community owned wind farm is expected to raise in excess of £20m for the community over the next two decades. The profits will be reinvested in communities in South Uist, Benbecula and Eriskay. Over £66 million pounds was invested in independent renewable electricity schemes in projects not operated by the big six largest power companies in Scotland in 2013. In 2013 more than 500 independent projects of over 50kW capacity were  operating across Scotland, with SmartestEnergy buys electricity from more than 100 projects in Scotland.