Windfarm 'could raise cash for town projects'

Fiona Howard • Published 4 Feb 2010 11:15 0 Comments

A COMMUNITY windfarm is being considered as a possible fund-raiser for Helensburgh by the town's community council.

Community councillors are annoyed by the Burgh's lack of a Common Good Fund to pay for projects and services like Christmas lights and have been looking at ways of raising funds to create one.

At last week's meeting, members heard a proposal that the council investigate the potential of setting up a windfarm above the town to raise money for a common good fund by selling electricity to the national grid.

The proposal came from Ian Fraser who has made a brief study of other projects throughout Argyll and Bute and other parts of Scotland.

He said that windfarm site would have to be on land more than 100 metres above sea level and he suggested the area above Highlandman's Wood, or perhaps even Ben Bouie, would be ideal sites.

He said that the council has already established protocols for windfarms and a number of projects are under way.

Mr Fraser said that he thought the best business outline for the community council would be a co-operative and explained that if the council were to approach a power company about the proposal the company would erect anemometers on the site to measure wind speeds for a year before taking the plan any further.

They would also carry out preliminary consultations with organisations like SEPA, the RSPB and archaeologists and would carry out landscape surveys.

His investigations had suggested that the council could make around £36,000 a year from six wind turbines but remarked that to take it further the council would need a good strong team of negotiators to get the best deal.

Some concerns were expressed about ownership of the land in question which, it is believed, belongs to Luss Estates. Some members said if there was money in such a project they would do it themselves.

Councillor Vivien Dance told the council that Argyll and Bute is at the leading edge where renewable energy is concerned and suggested that the community council should get contact details of other groups who are already involved in wind farm projects from the council officers.

And they were reminded that Rosneath and Clynder Community Council is also looking at starting a community windfarm.

The council agreed that Mr Fraser should carry out some more investigations and contact Scottish and Southern Energy for a no commitment feasibility study.

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