Point and Sandwick Trust welcomed Kilbirnie’s Radio City Association to Lewis last week on a learning exchange between the two-community owned organisations. Funded by Community Learning Exchange and Community Energy Scotland, the visit was designed to encourage sharing between the two groups which both focus on the power of community renewables to evoke positive change in their local areas.
PST General Manager DJ MacSween commented of the trip, “It’s been fantastic to host Allan and Scott from Radio City and we were pleased to showcase the kind of work we’ve achieved with the profits of our own 100% community-owned wind farm here in the Western Isles. We were able to take them to a wide range of projects and developments that PST is working to support including Point FC at Pairc an Rubha, Garrabost Mill, Bayble Pier, Point and Sandwick Trail. As we approach our tenth year of operation, we have built a strong track record of community support and look forward to sharing the results of our latest community consultation in the coming months.”
Scott Wilson commented of the trip to Lewis, “It has been truly inspiring to visit Point and Sandwick Trust over the last days. The passion and commitment to community, the visible achievements made by the Trust and the ongoing development work to improve the local area and address its challenges motivates us as we ourselves move forward into a new chapter in our own journey as a fellow community energy generator. Point and Sandwick Trust have shown what can be achieved by a small group of dedicated hardworking individuals, the value of their efforts in their local community is immeasurable and their work is building a more resilient, sustainable and prosperous future for the area”.
The visit comes at a time when there are increasing calls for Scottish and UK governments to look closely at options for community-owned renewable energy projects. An independent study conducted by Orkney-based consultancy, Aquaterra, found that community-owned wind farms in Scotland provide, on average, 34 times more benefit payments to local communities than privately-owned wind farms, showing that community-owned wind farms are significantly more beneficial to the local communities they serve.
Pictured top: Norman Mackenzie (PST), DJ MacSween (PST), Scott Wilson (Radio City), Allan Wilson (Radio City) and Alasdair Nicholson (PST).
Photos credit SandiePhotos
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