UK Energy Minister Michael Shanks visited the community-owned Point and Sandwick Wind Farm near Stornoway last week to see how community ownership of renewable energy is delivering significant benefits for local people across the Western Isles.
The wind farm is owned by Point and Sandwick Trust (PST), the community charity that distributes funding to support a wide range of initiatives and organisations throughout the islands.
During the visit, the minister was shown how each community-owned turbine generates £300,000 for community benefit, compared with around £15,000 per turbine at the privately owned wind farm nearby. PST Site Manager, Tony Robson, highlighted how comparison demonstrates the impact community ownership can have in ensuring renewable energy development delivers long-term social and economic value for local communities.
Also attending the visit was Western Isles MP Torcuil Crichton. The turbines were supplied and are maintained by Enercon engineers, with technical support provided by Wood Group.
Income generated by the wind farm allows PST to fund projects across the Western Isles, supporting local facilities, services and initiatives that strengthen communities. The Trust’s latest Social Impact Report, released in November, shows more than £3.1 million invested in community projects between 2020 and 2024, supporting jobs, tackling fuel poverty, and unlocking millions more in additional funding.
Calum MacDonald, Development Director at Point and Sandwick Trust, said, “This shows what happens when communities have a real stake in renewable energy. Community ownership means the value created by our natural resources stays in the islands, supporting local organisations, creating opportunities and strengthening communities across the Western Isles. That is why it is so disappointing that on current plans only 2% of the energy exported on the proposed new cable is going to be community owned. Sadly 98% of the power being exported will be owned by foreign companies and very little profit staying in the islands.”
The visit comes as the UK Government advances its Local Power Plan, aimed at expanding community and locally owned renewable energy projects. Mr MacDonald added, “Hopefully the minister’s visit can lead to a different approach and enable greater community buy-in to all renewable energy developments proposed across the islands. Without greater community ownership and benefit from these developments, a lot of islanders will continue to wonder if they are really worthwhile”.
Photo shows PST Site Manager Tony Robson with UK Energy Minister Michael Shanks at the Beinn Ghrideag wind farm. Photo credit: Cara Macdonald.
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