Local groups bid to lease and rebuild a wind farm, seeking greater community income.
The wind farm is located at Cruach Mhor. Forestry Land Scotland owns this land. CCE will bid against other companies to lease it. ScottishPower Renewables may also bid. People will consider the bids soon.
Alan Stewart directs Cowal Community Energy. He said wind farms impact local areas, but they also make lots of money. Communities often get little benefit. Stewart believes locals deserve a bigger share.
Cruach Mhor’s income could change things. Community-owned projects give more money back. They return about £100,000 per megawatt each year. Big companies pay much less than that.
CCE wants this to inspire other communities. They hope they can lease nearby wind farms, too. Cruach Mhor currently has thirty-five turbines. CCE plans a new turbine setup.
Josh Doble manages policy for Community Land Scotland. He finds CCE very impressive and believes they show great spirit. Communities should get more wind farm benefits and should own them, if possible.
Community projects bring much more money, delivering 34 times more revenue than standard payments. Scotland should expand this successful ownership model, according to Doble.