´óÏó´«Ã½

Eric Dodd, Manager of the HIE Community Energy Unit said ‘ We want to encourage community halls across the Highlands and Islands to investigate how renewable energy can contribute to the power they consume. There are a range of renewable energy technologies from Heat pumps to wind turbines and solar panels waiting to play their part in helping reduce running costs.

Tiree already has one small windturbine – the little sister of the new one planned for An Talla. Pete Blackhall of Gott bought a 2.5 kilowatt Proven Wind turbine to provide heating to his house six years ago. Pete helped arrange the Hall’s turbine project and commented ‘Our own wind turbine has been a great success so we’re pleased the new hall will get a similar benefit for years to come.’

The Tiree Development Partnership is keen that this is only the first of these 6 kilowatt wind turbines to help the community on Tiree. Manager Mark Jennison, commented ‘People on Tiree want to see how the island can benefit from using the wind to reduce our dependence on oil or conventional electricity. There is so much energy in the wind here just waiting to be harvested.’