Progress on the community owned wind turbine
Plans for the community wind turbine are progressing well. Most key requirements are in place; we own the site, have planning consent and a grid connection. Plans are in place for an anemometry study to check the site for likely output or turbulence.
The latest boost to the project is the announcement that we have been successful in our bid for Big Lottery support and will receive a grant of £436,000.00, a huge boost to the viability of the scheme. The rest of the money, about £1 million will be coming from commercial loans and OIC have offered this, which we will accept if the terms are competitive.
The 900kW turbine should produce a reliable income for voluntary groups and other projects on the island. We have estimated this as starting at £50K+ P.A., rising as loans are paid down.
The new feed-in tariff for renewables is looking favourable for this size of scheme so the income may be more than anticipated.
All being well we expect construction within the next twelve months with site work commencing this summer. Part of the Big Lottery grant covers the cost of professional help, which will be a big relief to the volunteers who have steered the project this far.
Page Last Updated - 12/03/2010 11:28:55
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