Renewable energy was identified as a key driver for long-term sustainability for the Galson Estate in the early stage of its community buy-out process.

 

The choice of location and site was determined through a detailed wind energy study undertaken between July 2005 and May 2006 with the preferred site identified near to suitable electricity grid capacity that could support three wind turbines. The wind energy site at Baile an Truiseil is located around 21km (15mi) north-west of the principal town of Stornoway, close to the crofting township of Barvas.

 

During 2006 and 2007, a grid connection offer for 2.7MW was secured for the site along with planning permission for a met mast. The met mast was constructed in early 2008 and wind data collection was undertaken over the following year.

 

Environmental studies were completed over 2008 and 2009 which enabled planning permission to be obtained for three turbines in May 2009. Funding applications for pre-construction activity were submitted in 2009 and significant capital/revenue grants to support wind turbine development were awarded in May 2010 (independent legal advice has confirmed that these grants are compatible with Feed-In Tariff incentives).