Second UistWind turbine up and project now generating power
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A community-owned renewables project in the Outer Hebrides is nearing completion after a second turbine was finally installed.
There had been problems with the concrete base for the second of two turbines being erected as part of the £3.5 million UistWind scheme, but the foundation was rebuilt, allowing the blades to go up.
The rotor and blades for turbine T1 were installed in August, after the first turbine to go up, T2, started to export power to the grid earlier in the month.
The wind farm, at Criongrabhal near Clachan-na-Luib in North Uist, is due to be fully operational by October.
A North Uist Development Company (Trading) project, the wind farm aims to generate more than £2 million over the project’s lifetime of 22 years – with the profits going straight back to the community via NUDC’s charitable activities.
Construction and installation of the first of the 900kW turbines, T2, was completed in July.
UistWind was delighted to have finally reached the stage of seeing both turbines installed.
They also paid tribute to the personnel at the MoD and QinetiQ for working with them to facilitate the creation of the community-owned wind farm, overcoming challenges posed by its proximity to the Hebrides Range.
Dr Ameena Camps, project delivery manager with North Uist Development Company, said: “I cannot begin to explain how thrilled we are to see both turbines in place, and both will soon be generating electricity for the benefit of the community in the longer term.
“The operation of UistWind would not have been possible were it not for the willingness of the MoD and QinetiQ’s personnel to work with the community to identify and implement solutions that allow the wind farm to co-exist with their radar technology.”
