Renewables light up the Isle of Canna

The Isle of Canna Community Development Trust (IoCCDT) has announced the formal launch of its new, environmentally-friendly energy generation system, following a bedding in period that saw it meet 98 per cent of residents’ energy needs.

On Saturday April 6, the trust will stage a special event on Canna to mark the occasion, to be followed

by a celebratory ceilidh. For almost 20 years, Canna and Sanday’s 18 residents have had to rely on three diesel generators for power as the islands are not connected to the National Grid.

As a result of a community venture, Canna Renewable Energy and Electrification Ltd (CREEL), power is now generated through wind and solar, and linked to a battery storage system, with the old generators for back-up use.

Geraldine MacKinnon, CREEL director, said: ‘We’re delighted our

energy project is now completed and the turbines are making good use of this winter’s Atlantic gales.

‘The new scheme gives us the capacity to build additional houses on Canna, so 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.’