A community-owned wind farm will be built in North Uist next year after a fundraising campaign passed its target. Two turbines are to be constructed at Criongrabhal, near Clachan-na-Luib, as part of a renewables project, and are expected to cost around £3.5 million. The project is being primarily funded by commercial loans, however the community was required to raise a minimum of £350,000 as its equity stake. The target was reached at the weekend, with a total of £408,000 raised by Monday following the share offer. It is estimated that the project will generate around £105,000 per year, amounting to £2.33 million over the project’s projected lifespan of 22 years. The profits are to be directed back to the community via North Uist Development Company’s charitable activities. Construction is due to begin at the end of January 2019 and will be completed in July 2019.
Scotsman 25th Dec 2018 read more »
BBC 25th Dec 2018 read more »