Issue - meetings

Exploring Community Renewable Energy Opportunities in Kintyre

Meeting: 28/06/2013 - Kintyre Initiative Partnership (Item 4)

Exploring Community Renewable Energy Opportunities in Kintyre

A presentation by Iona McDonald, Community Energy Scotland.

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Minutes:

The group heard a presentation from Iona McDonald, Community Energy Scotland.  The Chair thanked Iona for her detailed and informative presentation and opened questions from the group and public in attendance.

 

Discussion followed in regards:-

 

Impact on local toursim

Benefits to the local community

Concerns in relation to potential detriment to the local landscape

 

Stuart Green, Senior Development Officer updated the group on the recent contract which had been awarded to EON by the Forestry Commission.  The Forestry Commission had taken an ethical approach when preparing the tender.  Stuart advised on the various options which could be considered by local communities in Kintyre. 

 

These options included:-

 

That local communities could undertake a trade for shares

They could also buy into schemes.

 

He reitereated that opportunities were available for communities to fully engage with companies, with the assurance that Argyll and Bute Council would ensure that these companies conformed to their agreements.

 

Richard Kerr, Head of Planning reported on the growing demand for Windfarm turbines, which were considerably larger than ones which had been previously approved.  He advised that planning consent for these ultimately reduced the landscape capacity and informed the group of the bullish approach undertaken by some companies in  negotiations with landowners.  A member of the public questioned the height of anemometers in comparison to the actual height of turbines. Richard Kerr confirmed that the anemometers height was the actual height of the turbine hubs.

 

 

Councillor Semple enquired on the accumulative impact of smaller turbines.  Richard Kerr replied that smaller turbines were not so problematic and highlighted instances on Orkney and Aberdeen whereby larger turbines were proving detrimental to local areas.

 

The Chair invited questions from members of the public in attendance.

 

Discussion continued in regards the safer monetary return for communities collaborating with  larger companies.  Richard Kerr reported that work was currently underway in the development of a sub-station with an underwater cable to Hunterston. 

 

Debate continued and the feeling intimated by some members of the public was to leave the Kintyre landscape untouched.  However, others were of the opinion that local communities could benefit from the potential funding  generated from Windfarms.

 

The group agreed the need for further research and discussion, with representation and input from local Community Councils.  Iona McDonald agreed to assist with the monitoring of this issue and her contact details are detailed below:-

 

Iona McDonald,  Development Officer for Argyll

Community Energy Scotland

Oban

 

iona.mcdonald@communityenergyscotland.org.uk

01631 563 239

www.communityenergyscotland.org.uk

                     

 

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