Crofters on Stornoway are planning to bid community-owned island wind farms into the UK’s upcoming Contracts for Difference auction.
A quartet of townships in the Outer Hebrides will seek capacity under the remote island wind element of the CfD round due before May next year.
Projects include the 5MW Sandwick North Street, 10MW Aignish, 40MW Melbost and 50MW Sandwick East Street, all on Lewis.
“Agents for the townships have been working on the necessary bird studies for nearly two years now and expect the study for the latest breeding season will be completed in August,” said a spokesperson for the crofters.
“As soon as this is completed the final preparations will be made ahead of submitting applications for planning consent to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.”
The projects overlap with the up to 180MW Lewis Wind Power project which EDF and Wood are also planning to enter into the CfD auction.
The Scottish Land Court is currently considering separate petitions over development rights from both groups.
Image: Mi9
Island crofters lay CfD marker
By EBS