Beinn Eighe biosphere reserve. Used funds from a local wind farm to improve energy efficiency in rural households.
The largely rural area of South West Scotland has high unemployment and low incomes. There are more than 15 wind farms operating or under construction in the area and others awaiting approval. Although not compulsory, it is usual when a wind farm is built to establish a fund for the local community.
The 120 MW Hadyard Hill wind farm, near the communities of Dailly, Barr, Pinwherry and Pinmore, was built at a cost of £85 million by Scottish and Southern Energy. In addition to the community fund of £120,000 per year, it was decided to set aside an extra £300,000. The Energy Agency ran a programme to use this money for reducing energy demand and tackling fuel poverty in the communities, by providing free insulation to all suitable houses and other energy efficiency actions.
Ashden Awards Case Study | The Energy Agency, South West Scotland, UK | PDF
© DP ENERGY. Hadyard Hill wind farm provided the fund to undertake efficiency work.
