Download the Site selection exercise Final Report Rev 2.doc (3.0Mb)

This report summarises work carried out during the latter part of 2004 under a contract funded by Alienergy to progress a proposal for a community-owned wind energy scheme on Tiree.  The work was carried out in collaboration with Tiree Development Partnership (TDP), the island-based organisation promoting the renewable energy scheme, and follows from an earlier exercise also funded by Alienergy in which the project feasibility was first assessed (see above).
In the earlier study the main technical and environmental constraints in relation to wind turbine siting on Tiree were identified, and the approximate electrical capacity available for renewables determined.  Historic wind measurements from Tiree Airport were presented and an assessment made of the likely cost and economic returns from a typical single-turbine project.  The general finding was favourable in regard to a community wind project.
In the present study a detailed dialogue with Scottish and Southern Energy (S+S) identified the total generation capacity for renewables on Tiree as 2.3MW, of which 600kW is already reserved for private development.  TDP therefore made a policy decision to secure approximately 50% of the total Tiree capacity for community-owned renewables, and on this basis formally requested a capacity of 1200kW from S+S in October 2004.

The number of wind turbines for a community owned scheme is yet to be decided, though likely to be only one or two.  Electrical limitations related to step voltage change on Tiree may limit the individual turbine size to 600kW, although technical solutions that promise to increase this figure are under investigation.
The issue of the most appropriate site was explored in detail.  A map-based exercise was carried out to determine those areas of the island free from major constraints such as airport runway avoidance surfaces, areas with important environmental designation (primarily related to bird life), other areas of known high bird activity, or proximity to dwellings.  This work included collaboration with SNH, who carried out a landscape character assessment of the entire islandError! Bookmark not defined., and RSPB, who provided data on bird populations.
This formal screening process identified three areas generally suitable for wind turbine siting, namely (1) land west of Beinn Hough, (2) the vicinity of Moss, and (3) land immediately east of Ruaig.  Independently of the above process, informal discussion were carried out between TDP and local inhabitants and interest groups to gauge popular opinion in regard to wind turbines in general, and suitable sites for a community-owned project in particular.  In the TDP discussions the Beinn Hough site was almost unanimously favoured.
The progress and findings of the study were presented at the Tiree Community Conference in November 2004, at a public meeting held in An Talla.  This was the first opportunity for an open debate on the issue of the community wind energy project, and the proposal of a preferred site.  The delegates were asked via secret ballot (a) whether they favoured a community wind scheme on Tiree in principle and (b) whether the Beinn Hough site should be taken forward.  The outcome was a 99% vote in favour on both counts.

Subsequent to the above, arrangements are now being made for a wind monitoring exercise and detailed study of bird movements at the proposed site.  The present report concludes with a list of recommended steps in addition to these, including project design and economic appraisal, leading up to the actual construction of the scheme.