Ben Aketil

Community

Ben Aketil Wind Energy Limited will pay over £32,000 per year into a locally managed community fund, which shall be used to support local community initiatives in education, environmental improvements, energy conservation and community facilities in the Dunvegan area of Skye.

In addition to the community fund, members of the local community set up the Isle of Skye Renewables Co-operative Ltd. in order to purchase a stake in the wind farm - the second scheme of its kind in Scotland and the first on an island. This community business initiative was achieved with the support of Energy4All Ltd, a company that promotes ownership of renewable energy schemes and energy conservation measures. The co-operative bought a share in the profits from Falck Renewables and in turn, local people joined the co-operative, buying shares worth between £250 and £20,000. Profits from the sale of green electricity produced by the wind farm are distributed to members through an annual dividend. The 570 members of the Co-op invested over £812,000.

An ongoing programme of ornithological monitoring has been agreed in consultation with Scottish Natural Heritage