Highlands first wind farm Co-op

Community Share Offer

The Isle of Skye Renewables Co-op purchased a stake in the Ben Aketil wind farm from owners Renantis (formerly Falck Renewables Wind Limited) in January 2008 after raising £812,137! In 2010 the members of the co-op were given the opportunity to purchase a further stake in the additional 2 turbines which are now constructed and fully operational.

Community Benefit

Since it was established in 2008 the Isle of Skye Renewables Co-op has generated more than £1.5m in community benefits through community ownership in the Ben Aketil Wind Farm. Community funding generated through the community ownership model has been utilised to deliver community benefit across Skye through distribution of interest to co-op members, award of grants to individuals, businesses and community and similar organisations as well as funds which remain within its community fund. These funds are in addition to the community benefit payments made directly by Renantis to the Dunvegan Community Trust.

Location

The Ben Aketil wind farm site lies approximately 18 km west of the town of Portree on the Isle of Skye. The site covers a hilly region of generally open moorland to the northwestern end of the island with site elevations ranging from 90 m to 266 m along a gently sloping northwest to southeast ridge.

The Ben Aketil wind farm consists of twelve 2.3MW Enercon wind turbines. Erection of the turbines began in September and power started to be generated in November 2007. The twelve turbines generate enough clean, green energy to supply around 21,000 homes.

Aims

To generate clean, green electricity and help reduce reliance on existing less environmentally-friendly energy resources.

Isle of Skye Renewables Co-op is part of a family of co-ops being developed by Energy4All Ltd in partnership with Renantis Wind Limited.

 Facts about the Co-op

	574 members
	7 Directors, each of whom carry out roles that deliver specific support to the benefit of the Co-op
	The Board appointed Energy4All to carry out the day-to-day management & administration of the Co-op