A SMALL community in Lochbroom is launching a fundraising bid to build its own hydro scheme – and give the profits back to projects in the area. BroomPower aims to raise £900,000 through a community share issue to finance building a hydro scheme at Lael, just south of Ullapool. If successful, the volunteers who run the scheme hope the hydro will be built and generating power by the end of next year. They plan to convert any surplus income from it to support community projects in the area. A ‘Hydro Hoolie’ has just raised £25,000 towards the target. The event welcomed more than a hundred guests to a dinner and ceilidh with a piper and local school children cutting a cake to open the evening. It triggers the start of a campaign to attract individuals and organisations to take a unique opportunity and invest in a scheme with environmental an d social rewards.
Scotsman 31st May 2016 read more »