For almost 20 years, Canna and Sanday’s 18 residents have had to rely on three diesel generators for power.
Now the Isle of Canna Community Development Trust has announced the launch of its new, environmentally-friendly energy generation system, following a bedding-in period which saw it meet 98 per cent of residents’ energy needs.
The new system is expected to substitute the use of over 36,000 litres of diesel fuel each year, equivalent to 96.6 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.
As a result of the community venture, Canna Renewable Energy and Electrification Ltd (CREEL), power is now generated through wind and solar and linked to a battery storage system, which relegates the old generators to occasional back-up use.
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Geraldine MacKinnon, CREEL director said: "We’re delighted that our energy project is now completed and the turbines are making good use of this winter’s Atlantic gales.
"As well as minimising the noise and pollution from the generators, the new scheme gives us the capacity to build additional houses on Canna, so that new families can make their home on this beautiful island.
"We’re very grateful to all of our funders for their support in this vital project, and especially to Jamie Adam of Community Energy Scotland who managed the scheme and kept us on track through all of the complexities involved.”
CREEL owns and operates the new equipment, construction of which finished in October 2018.
Since then, it has produced a reliable, 24-hour, environmentally sustainable power supply.
All profits from the sale of electricity used by Canna residents and businesses are ploughed back into running the system.
On Saturday, April 6 the trust will stage a special event on Canna to mark its formal launch, followed by a celebratory ceilidh.
Canna is owned and cared for by conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland, which works in partnership with the IoCCDT.
Alan Rankin, of the NTS, said: "I am absolutely delighted that this community-led initiative has been so successful.
“The Isle of Canna Community Development Trust is to be congratulated and we were delighted to be able to offer our support.
"The advent of renewable power can truly be described as transformational for the island and this is definitely the way of the future for sustainable island communities.”
The new power system also benefits existing local businesses as well as allowing for further expansion and investment.
There are around 10 local businesses at present including guest houses, a cafe, campsite and crofts.
Reliable and affordable power is vital in helping these businesses thrive and expand.
Ms MacKinnon added: "A reliable power source will certainly help increase visitor numbers but also has potential to lead to more investment in new facilities, such as a community hub and bunkhouse providing accommodation, electric showers and laundry facilities.
“The community and the National Trust for Scotland are currently undertaking a feasibility study for these facilities, all of which would depend on the additional electricity capacity the CREE project has delivered.”
Over a period of 25 years, the scheme could prevent over 2,400 tonnes of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere.
Canna is the westernmost of the Small Isles archipelago, in the Scottish Inner Hebrides.
It is linked to the neighbouring island of Sanday by a road and sandbanks at low tide. The island is 4.3 miles (6.9 km) long and 1 mile (1.6 km) wide.
Canna’s renewable energy project cost £1.3m and was supported by The Big Lottery Fund Growing Community Assets Programme (£983,005); Local Energy Scotland and the Scottish Government’s CARES and Innovation and Infrastructure Fund programmes (£150,000); SSE Highland Sustainable Development Fund (£100,000); Highlands and Islands Enterprise (£50,000), and the National Trust for Scotland (£50,000).
The principal contractor was SSE Contracting and to their subcontractors were CHAP Ltd (civils); Wind & Sun Ltd (PV and battery/inverter systems) and SD Wind Ltd (turbine supply and installation).
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