Westray Development Trust
Hear how the community of Westray use their wind turbine to facilitate other services supporting locals and improving their quality of life.
Strengthening communities
Soirbheas is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity, whose objectives are to strengthen and support the communities of Glen Urquhart and Strathglass, through revenues from local renewable energy schemes.
It was formed to help the community benefit from the Corrimony Wind Farm development. Soirbheas invested in the project to acquire one “virtual” turbine. Subsequently income received from other renewable developments in the area has also been added.
It receives community benefit payments from other renewable energy project including SSE Bhlaraidh Wind Farm and Green Highland Renewable (GHR) micro hydro at Shenval in Glen Urquhart.
Soirbheas’ main funder is Social Investment Scotland, which has lent Soirbheas £250,000 and provided a grant of £250,000. Soirbheas Trading Limited has lent the money to Corrimony Energy as part of Corrimony’s overall funding requirement. The interest and repayments of principal will be paid to Soirbheas Trading Limited once the wind farm is up and running. Much of this money will be used to repay the loan from Social Investment Scotland and any surplus will be paid over to Soirbheas.
In addition, Corrimony has agreed to gift further amounts to Soirbheas, reflecting the long-standing intention of the Girvan family that the communities of Glen Urquhart and Strathglass should have a share equivalent to a turbine’s worth in the wind farm.
Through a process of research and community engagement four broad objectives have been identified:
- Eradication of fuel poverty
- Protecting the unique environment
- Economic community growth
- Quality of life for residents
The activities to achieve these objectives and the process for allocating the income have still to be developed.
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Soirbheas
Soirbheas, a registered charity, work to strengthen and support the communities of Glen Urquhart and Strathglass, through revenues from local renewable energy schemes.
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