Oban residents to be consulted on energy needs

OBAN has been chosen for a project which will examine energy consumption, future requirements and community wishes.

Argyll, Lomond and the Islands Energy Agency (ALIenergy) is hosting an event on Saturday March 3 at Oban's Glencruitten Church Hall.

The event will give the Oban community an opportunity to learn about the new and exciting Local Energy Oban project and tell ALIenergy what matters to them energy wise and what they would like to see prioritised.

The town is one of four communities chosen to develop local energy plans in the Highlands and Islands Enterprise region as part of the Community Benefits of Civic Energy (COBEN) project.

Using existing data plus information gathered at community consultations, the project will draw together local wishes and priorities on issues such as power, energy storage, heat, fuel poverty, transport, demand reduction and management as well as considering the implications for energy infrastructure and potential partnership opportunities.

It could consider, for example, the potential for locally-owned renewable energy schemes, or the number of homes with central heating, or those requiring improved insulation.

The findings could be used to help access funding for energy projects, as well as feeding into local authority development plans.

The COBEN Project, funded by the European Union, is one of six community energy projects across the North Sea region. The Scottish pilot is 50 per cent match-funded through the Scottish Government’s community and renewable energy scheme.

The three other areas chosen to take part in the pilot project are Drumnadrochit, Barra and Vatersay in the Western Isles and Brae in Shetland.

The four local energy plans will set out key priorities and opportunities and make recommendations and suggest practical projects for each community.

Work in each area starts in October and local energy plans will be completed by mid-2018 with selected recommendations implemented by 2020.