UistWind was initiated by Members of North Uist Development Company (NUDC) and the wider North Uist community as part of the North Uist Partnership. Ten years in the making, UistWind is now an operational wind turbines project, constructed in 2019 for the benefit of the wider community and, managed by North Uist Development Company (Trading) Limited (NUDC-T): a Community Benefit Society, established in 2018 to enable the development of the project in line with the founding objectives.
Project Development and Construction
Renewable energy was identified as a key driver for long-term sustainability of North Uist in the early stage of community consultations. Funding applications for pre-construction activity were first submitted in 2009 and significant capital/revenue grants to support wind turbine development were awarded in May 2010. The choice of location and site was determined through a detailed feasibility study undertaken in 2010/11 with the preferred site identified near to suitable electricity grid capacity that could support a number of wind turbines: at Criongrabhal, near Clachan-na-Luib, North Uist. In 2011 a grid connection offer for 1.8MW was secured for the site. Environmental studies were completed during 2010 and 2011 and an Options Agreement and Draft Lease signed in 2013. These steps enabled a planning permission application to be submitted in April 2013. Subsequent development was hindered for a number of years by planning permission negotiations due to the proximity to the MoD radar range on St. Kilda and Air Defence Radar at South Clettraval, North Uist. Planning permission was finally granted, subject to conditions, in 2017.
A Feed-in-Tariff pre-accreditation application was submitted in September 2017. By this time the Feed-in-Tariff had dropped significantly, and to raise all the finance required for the project; whilst maximising the profits for the benefit of the community; NUDC-T was converted to a Community Benefit Society in 2018 to enable a Community Share Offer. The Community Share Offer was launched in 2018 and closed at the end of 2018, surpassing the minimum required for the project to proceed by over £100k: successfully raising £452,850. Planning conditions were met in early 2019, due diligence and financial closed reached and, construction finally underway by spring 2019. The Senior Lender is Triodos Bank UK, and the Junior Lender the Energy Investment Fund. Construction was as difficult as the development, with many hurdles and challenges; however, in September both turbines were operational and Uist Wind held an official open day, opened with a procession lead by the Sgoil Lionacleit Pipe Band, a speech by Angus Brendan MacNeil MP and a ribbon cutting ceremony with young pupils from Sgoil Uibhist a Tuath, followed by its first Annual Member's Meeting. The FiT deadline was met and by April 2020 the project has produced 4 million kWh of renewable electricity. The project is generating enough green electricity each year to offset the electricity used by all homes in North Uist.
Operation
The two turbine, 1.8MW project is now fully operational. Electricity is being sold to the grid, and is being managed by North Uist Development Company (Trading) Limited, to maximise efficiency for the benefit of the community. A Community Investment Plan has been developed following consultation with the local community, incorporating plans for the Community Fund. Due to the financial structure of the project, profits for the Community Investment Fund will not be available in the early years of operation; but once profits for the Fund are generated, distribution will be guided by the Community Investment Plan. The project aims to generate in the region of £2 million for the benefit of the local community, in addition to community investor financial return and the repayment of the senior and junior loans.
Further Information
For further details on Uist Wind, the latest energy production figures and, news and events, please visit www.uistwind.com. Contact details for Uist Wind are also available on the website.
Renewable energy was identified as a key driver for long-term sustainability of North Uist in the early stage of community consultations. Funding applications for pre-construction activity were first submitted in 2009 and significant capital/revenue grants to support wind turbine development were awarded in May 2010. The choice of location and site was determined through a detailed feasibility study undertaken in 2010/11 with the preferred site identified near to suitable electricity grid capacity that could support a number of wind turbines: at Criongrabhal, near Clachan-na-Luib, North Uist. In 2011 a grid connection offer for 1.8MW was secured for the site. Environmental studies were completed during 2010 and 2011 and an Options Agreement and Draft Lease signed in 2013. These steps enabled a planning permission application to be submitted in April 2013. Subsequent development was hindered for a number of years by planning permission negotiations due to the proximity to the MoD radar range on St. Kilda and Air Defence Radar at South Clettraval, North Uist. Planning permission was finally granted, subject to conditions, in 2017.
A Feed-in-Tariff pre-accreditation application was submitted in September 2017. By this time the Feed-in-Tariff had dropped significantly, and to raise all the finance required for the project; whilst maximising the profits for the benefit of the community; NUDC-T was converted to a Community Benefit Society in 2018 to enable a Community Share Offer. The Community Share Offer was launched in 2018 and closed at the end of 2018, surpassing the minimum required for the project to proceed by over £100k: successfully raising £452,850. Planning conditions were met in early 2019, due diligence and financial closed reached and, construction finally underway by spring 2019. The Senior Lender is Triodos Bank UK, and the Junior Lender the Energy Investment Fund. Construction was as difficult as the development, with many hurdles and challenges; however, in September both turbines were operational and Uist Wind held an official open day, opened with a procession lead by the Sgoil Lionacleit Pipe Band, a speech by Angus Brendan MacNeil MP and a ribbon cutting ceremony with young pupils from Sgoil Uibhist a Tuath, followed by its first Annual Member's Meeting. The FiT deadline was met and by April 2020 the project has produced 4 million kWh of renewable electricity. The project is generating enough green electricity each year to offset the electricity used by all homes in North Uist.
Operation
The two turbine, 1.8MW project is now fully operational. Electricity is being sold to the grid, and is being managed by North Uist Development Company (Trading) Limited, to maximise efficiency for the benefit of the community. A Community Investment Plan has been developed following consultation with the local community, incorporating plans for the Community Fund. Due to the financial structure of the project, profits for the Community Investment Fund will not be available in the early years of operation; but once profits for the Fund are generated, distribution will be guided by the Community Investment Plan. The project aims to generate in the region of £2 million for the benefit of the local community, in addition to community investor financial return and the repayment of the senior and junior loans.
Further Information
For further details on Uist Wind, the latest energy production figures and, news and events, please visit www.uistwind.com. Contact details for Uist Wind are also available on the website.
North Uist Development Company, Claddach Kirkibost Centre, Isle of North Uist, HS6 5EP.; [email protected]
Company No. SC383175; Charity No. SC041709
Company No. SC383175; Charity No. SC041709
