Scottish villagers stun developers by demanding extra turbine (2009)
7 hours ago
- #Renewable Energy
- #Sustainability
- #Community Projects
- Residents of Fintry, Stirlingshire, proposed an extra turbine for their community when a wind farm was planned, making it one of the greenest in the UK.
- The Fintry turbine has earned £140,000, funding energy efficiency schemes like insulation for half the village's 300 households, reducing heating bills significantly.
- The village held an energy fair to promote renewable initiatives and encourage other UK communities to adopt similar models.
- Fintry Development Trust manages turbine income, highlighting the uniqueness of their community-owned turbine approach in the UK.
- The community secured a loan deal with West Coast Energy to add a turbine to the Earlsburn wind farm, with profits going to village projects after expenses.
- Future plans include exploring alternative heating solutions, setting up an energy supply company, and addressing transport and food production issues.
- The turbine initiative has benefited local facilities like the sports club through energy-efficient upgrades and personal home insulation.
- Founder Bill Acton emphasizes the importance of early community engagement with developers to avoid conflicts and seize opportunities for mutual benefit.
- Fintry's success is seen as replicable, with other communities showing interest in adopting similar renewable energy projects.